Kingsman: The Golden Circle was the clear winner at the North American box office this passing weekend, even if it did come in slightly lower than expectations.

The film was projected to reach as high as $50 million during its first three days of release but came in with an estimated $39 million - still ahead of the $36.2 million of the first. It took over $11 million in The UK. 

The bloated 2 hour plus running time and so-so reviews (compared to the first) wouldn't be helping Matthew Vaughn's first sequel as a director; that said when a follow-up opens ahead of the previous film it's a good thing.

Stephen King adaptation IT continued to make an absolute fortune, taking a further $30 million and pushing its global haul to near the half a billion mark. The sequel will be big money, so expect some hefty star names attached.

It was a disappointing start for the third LEGO Movie, Ninjago, which took just $21 million. A little franchise fatigue after the strong takings of The LEGO Movie and The LEGO Batman Movie.

Via THR