LOS ANGELES • Rap biopic Straight Outta Compton topped the weekend North American box-office charts for a third consecutive weekend, becoming the first film to manage that feat since Jurassic World.

The Universal film about the early days of N.W.A. pulled in an impressive US$13.2 million (S$18.6 million), pushing its domestic total to US$134.1 million.

It is now the highest-grossing musical biopic, trumping the Johnny Cash drama Walk The Line (2005) and its US$119.5-million domestic haul.

Its success came as War Room, Sony's PG-rated newcomer with a religious theme, stunned by picking up US$11 million to come in at No. 2.

The latest faith-based hit from director Alex Kendrick and his brother, writing and producing partner Stephen Kendrick, was filmed for a mere US$3 million. It follows a couple's marital strife and their daughter's decision to help out.

Dead on arrival was We Are Your Friends (Warner Bros), an R-rated drama starring Zac Efron, which collected US$1.8 million.

REUTERS, NEW YORK TIMES