“The Nun II ”narrowly out-scares “A Haunting in Venice” to claim second week atop box office

Box office for The Nun II dropped off 55 percent from its No. 1 debut last week, but audiences still preferred (slightly) the chills of the ninth film in The Conjuring franchise over the latest exploits of Agatha Christie's iconic detective Hercule Poirot.

The Nun II grossed $14.7 million (as per Comscore) bringing its domestic total so far to $56.5 million. And with a No. 1 , $30.1 million international weekend, the film has hit $102.3 million overseas, for a global haul of $158.8 million.

Trailing close behind, A Haunting in Venice took in $14.5 million domestically, though The Nun II had a more decisive victory compared to the horror-tinged whodunit's $22.7 million international debut.

Warner Bros. Pictures Taissa Farmiga in 'The Nun II'

Kenneth Branagh (who also handled directing duties) stars for the third time as the celebrated sleuth, now retired and living in self-imposed exile in post-WWII Venice when he reluctantly attends a séance at a decaying, haunted palazzo on All Hallows' Eve. Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey, and Jamie Dornan lead the all-star cast.

"Orient Express dealt with revenge. Death on the Nile dealt with greed," Branagh said of his first two outings as Poirot. "This film is about whether there is anything beyond us, a ghost, a god, whether Poirot believes in it, that involves him and us being scared."

Courtesy of 20th Century Studios Michelle Yeoh in 'A Haunting in Venice'

The Equalizer 3 continues to hold strong in its third week of release, earning $7.2 million, bringing its domestic total to $73.7 million ($132.4 million globally). Following a lackluster debut last week, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 slips from third to fourth, grossing $4.7 million for a domestic cume of $18.6 million ($23.9 million globally).

And still holding onto the summer, Barbie comes in fifth at the box office with just under $4 million, even with the hit film available to rent and purchase at home. After nine weeks, the highest grossing movie of the year has made $626.1 million domestically and a whopping $1.4 billion worldwide.

Want more movie news? Sign up for Entertainment Weekly's free newsletter to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, film reviews, and more.

Related content:

• The Nun II conjures No. 1 weekend at the box office, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 slim on returns

• Kenneth Branagh surprised A Haunting in Venice actors with effects on set: 'They had no warning'

• A Haunting in Venice review: Kenneth Branagh scares up his best Poirot film yet