Sony's "Resident Evil: Extinction" took in about 24 million dollars in U.S. and Canadian theaters this weekend, earning it the number one spot at the box office in its premiere, according to preliminary figures released Sunday.

The latest film of the Sci-Fi thriller franchise inspired by the namesake videogame became the best debut for the franchise, topping the 23-million-dollar debut of part two, 2004's "Resident Evil: Apocalypse."

Horror, comedy and western movies shared the top spots at the North American box offices this weekend, said movie industry observers.

A romantic comedy, Lionsgate's "Good Luck Chuck," premiered at number two, with an estimated 14 million dollars in ticket sales.

Last weekend's box officer leader "The Brave One," starring two-time Oscar winner Jodie Foster, slipped two slots to No. 3 with 7.4 million dollars. The Warner Bros. thriller has grossed 25.1 million dollars since its debut two weeks ago.

Western classic remake "3:10 to Yuma" came in fourth with 6.4 million dollars in its third weekend of release, while "Eastern Promises," a mobster movie by Canadian director David Cronenberg, jumped to No. 5 with 5.7 million dollars as it expanded from limited to wide release.

All the top five movies at this weekend's box office had R ratings, which mean audiences under 17 require accompanying parent or adult guardian.
 
(Agencies via Xinhua September 24, 2007)