`Doctor Strange` spell holds over North American box office

California: Marvel`s "Doctor Strange" topped the North American box office for the second week in a row, industry data showed Monday, adding $43 million to bring its domestic earnings up to $153 million.

The movie, which stars Benedict Cumberbatch as neurosurgeon Stephen Strange -- whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident robs him of use of his hands -- is the 14th film in Disney`s "Marvel Cinematic Universe."

Co-starring Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Mads Mikkelsen and Tilda Swinton, it follows a number of recent huge successes for the studio, including "Captain America: Civil War," which made more than $1 billion worldwide.

"Among Marvel`s single-character intro features, this is the second-fastest title to top $150 million domestically, behind only 2008`s `Iron Man,`" Box Office Mojo analyst Brad Brevet said.

"Additionally, Strange`s 49 percent second weekend drop is the best second weekend hold among the last ten Marvel Cinematic Universe titles."

DreamWorks Animation`s "Trolls" also proved to have long legs, dropping only 25 percent in its second weekend to take $35 million, box office tracker Exhibitor Relations said.

Based on the classic plastic dolls known for their multi-colored hair, "Trolls," featuring the voices of Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick, has taken a total of $93.9 million.

Two debutants -- the acclaimed alien invasion movie "Arrival," starring Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner, and the festive dramedy "Almost Christmas" -- came in third and fourth respectively, with $24 million and $15.1 million. 

Mel Gibson`s war movie "Hacksaw Ridge" took fifth place with $10.6 million over the Veteran`s Day weekend, another impressive hold for a solid total of $32.1 million.

The film tells the true story of World War II army medic Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who went on to receive the Medal of Honor despite refusing to carry a weapon.

Rounding out the top 10 films were:
"The Accountant" ($4.4 million)
"Boo! A Madea Halloween" ($3.52 million)
"Shut In" ($3.5 million)
"Jack Reacher: Never Go Back" ($3.3 million)
"Inferno" ($3.26 million)