'Scorch Trials' to lead weekend in box office ahead of 'Black Mass' premiere

HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- The next Maze Runner installment, The Scorch Trials, earned top spot in the box office Thursday ahead of Johnny Depp's festival drama Black Mass.

Both films bowed in U.S. theaters Thursday night, earning over a $1 million each with YA action flick The Scorch Trials leading at $1.7 and R-rated gangster film Black Mass at $1.4. According to the Box Office, Depp's latest film -- also starring Joel Edgerton and Benedict Cumberbatch -- is expected to reach a mid-$30 million mark for its opening weekend.

The film tracker predicts The Scorch Trials may reach more than $40 million in revenue if it mimics the success of its predecessor, Maze Runner. The latest film features actors Dylan O'Brien, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Ki Hong Lee, Kaya Scodelario and Patricia Clarkson.

Venice Film Festival opener Everest also kicked off in limited theaters Thursday, earning $325,000 domestically from almost 500 IMAX and large format theaters. The Universal film may reach up to $5 million before its wide-release next weekend.