‘Beauty and the Beast’ dances off with top box-office spot

LOS ANGELES – Disney’s live-action “Beauty and the Beast” has continued to enchant audiences in its second weekend in theatres.

Studio estimates say the film added $88.3 million to its total this weekend, down only 49 per cent from its massive debut. The box-office juggernaut has earned $317 million to date from North American theatres.

In a distant second, Lionsgate’s “Power Rangers” opened with a strong $40.5 million. The PG-13 reboot of the campy television show cost a reported $100 million to produce.

Not so mighty were the totals for the two R-rated films that opened this weekend. Warner Bros.’ raunchy action comedy “CHIPS” and Sony’s space thriller “Life” failed to gain much traction.

“Life” earned $12.6 million, while the critically derided “CHIPS” brought in $7.6 million.