"The Conjuring: Last Rites," the latest in the popular horror film franchise about a couple of real-life paranormal investigators, debuted atop the North American box office with a whopping $83 million in ticket sales, industry estimates showed Sunday.

The Warner Bros. film once again stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren, who this time are doing battle with a demon in a family's home.

"This is a smash," said analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. "Horror fans can't get enough of Lorraine and Ed Warren."

In second place was Disney's film version of the hit Broadway musical "Hamilton," which earned a respectable $10 million, according to Exhibitor Relations -- despite being available on its streaming channel in 2020.

Gross called it an "exc

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