LOS ANGELES — Artificial intelligence thriller "Chappie" about a robot that learns to think and feel, debuted at the top of the North American box office over the weekend, industry estimates showed Sunday.



The droid, who is stolen from police and reprogrammed, stars alongside Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman and Sigourney Weaver in the dystopian romp, which took in $13.3 million, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.



The film kicked last weekend's top earner, con-artist flick "Focus," into second place. The dark comedy, starring Will Smith as a crook who takes on a protege played by Margot Robbie, raked in $10 million. — AFP