Doctor Strange starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Rachel McAdams dominates weekend box office over Trolls

Published: 23:58 GMT, 6 November 2016 | Updated: 01:18 GMT, 7 November 2016

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Doctor Strange had a healing impact on a sluggish autumn box office.

The Stan Lee comic-based film - featuring Benedict Cumberbatch as a surgeon who turns into a sorcerer after a car accident - easily took the top spot on the weekend, earning $85 million in North America, besting other high-profile new releases Trolls and Hacksaw Ridge.

The critically-acclaimed motion picture, released in conjunction by Marvel Studios and the Walt Disney Company, and also starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams and Tilda Swinton, earned $118.7 million overseas, where its racked up a total of $325.4 after its opening last weekend.

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Dynamic duo: Benedict Cumberbatch (left) and Chiwetel Ejiofor headline Doctor Strange, which took the top spot at the box office over the weekend with $85 million in North America

Leading man: Cumberbatch, 40, plays Dr. Stephen Strange in the Marvel comic adaptation

Souped-up: The film's huge revenue was boosted by big takes on enhanced and 3D screens

The film's white-hot debut kept alive Marvel's impeccable streak of 14 consecutive films to open in the top spot, with nearly half (47 percent) of the revenue in North American theaters coming from screenings in enhanced theaters and ones with 3D capability, RealD reported.

The blockbuster's visually-enchanting filmography helped drive its success, Disney executive vice president of distribution Dave Hollis told the AP.

'Movie theaters exist for a movie like Doctor Strange,' Hollis said, characterizing the film's look as 'something that arrests and totally disrupts what people are expecting to see inside of a movie theater.'

Changes: Strange's life takes a drastic turn in the motion picture in the wake of a car accident

Strong support: Academy Award nominee Ejiofor (left) plays Mordo in the hit adaptation

Hollis, speaking with Variety, said that a major reason for Marvel's 'unbroken streak of critical and commercial success ... is the emphasis and care they put on each character’s development and particular journey.'

Industry expert Paul Dergarabedian of comScore told the publication that the brand is so strong, they're essentially printing money with every new film release.

'No matter what genre they delve into, no matter how esoteric the brand or the superpower of the lead character,' Dergarabedian said, 'people will show up if they put the Marvel name on it.'

On the promotional trail: Cumberbatch was seen plugging the film in Germany October 26

Elsewhere, the animated DreamWorks film Trolls, featuring a star-studded roster of celebrity voices including Justin Timberlake, Anna Kendrick, Russell Brand, James Corden and Gwen Stefani, finished second in North America with a $45.6 million debut.

The film has been buoyed by the complementary release of Can't Stop the Feeling, a new single Timberlake performed for the soundtrack. It racked up $30 million overseas.

Rounding out the top ten were: Hacksaw Ridge with $14.8 million; Tyler Perry's Boo! A Madea Halloween with $7.8 million; Inferno with $6.3 million; The Accountant with $6 million; Jack Reacher: Never Go Back at $5.6 million; Ouija: Origin of Evil with $4 million; The Girl on the Train at $2.8 million; and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children at $2.1 million.