LOS ANGELES (AFP) - Critically acclaimed blockbuster The Martian, about an astronaut stranded on Mars, led North American box office ticket sales for a fourth weekend, industry estimates showed Sunday.

The movie, which stars Matt Damon as a Nasa scientist accidentally left on the Red Planet, has generated serious Oscar buzz as well as an estimated US$182.8 million (S$256 million) in the five weeks since it came out.

The film earned US$11.4 million in weekend ticket sales, pulling in just ahead of spooky children's flick Goosebumps, which earned US$10.2 million, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

The family-friendly action-comedy based on a series of books by R.L. Stine had briefly dethroned The Martian from its top perch for one weekend.

Steven Spielberg's well-received Cold War drama Bridge Of Spies, starring Tom Hanks held onto third place for a third week running with US$8.1 million.

In a timely fourth for Halloween weekend, animated ghoul sequel Hotel Transylvania 2 and its all-star cast of voices raked in US$5.8 million.

Food flick Burt, the tale of a bad-boy chef (played by Bradley Cooper) who is trying to redeem his career following a series of poor life choices debuted in fifth with US$5 million.

The following is a list of the rest of the top 10:

6. The Last Witch Hunter (US$4.8 million)

7. Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (US$3.5 million)

8. Our Brand Is Crisis (US$3.4 million)

9. Crimson Peak (US$3.1 million)

10. Steve Jobs (US$2.6 million)