The ‘Hunger Games’ franchise prequel film, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, was the No. 1 movie in North America in its debut weekend, earning $44 million in receipts. The film, which received mixed reviews and a 61% score on Rotten Tomatoes, is the worst-reviewed installment in the ‘Hunger Games’ franchise.

The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes is set decades before the events of the Hunger Games franchise, and traces the origins of Coriolanus Snow, the primary antagonist of the series. Snow is played in the movie by Tom Blyth, who stars alongside Rachel Zegler — who plays a “tribute” chosen to compete in the titular annual games, in which teenagers compete against each other in a gladiatorial survival battles for the entertainment of the wealthy and the financial security of the oppressed.

Coming in at No. 2 was Trolls Band Together with $30.6 million, followed by The Marvels at No. 3 with $10.2 million, Thanksgiving at No. 4 with $10.2 million and Five Nights at Freddy’s at No. 5 with $3.5 million.

Editorial credit: Hamara / Shutterstock.com