Nathalie Emmanuel’s ‘The Invitation’ finishes ahead of ‘Bullet Train’ to win quiet box office

Enough people responded to “The Invitation” for the new horror movie to win a quiet box office.

Led by actress Nathalie Emmanuel, the film scared up $7 million in North America during its opening weekend to finish ahead of previously released flicks like “Bullet Train” and “Top Gun: Maverick.”

“The Invitation” follows a woman as she uncovers mysteries about her family after her mother’s death.

The English-born Emmanuel, 36, is known for “Game of Thrones” and the “Fast & Furious” films, and also had a starring role in last year’s safe-cracking heist movie “Army of Thieves.”

The box-office win by “The Invitation” came during a weekend when none of the major movie studios released a film in theaters. It concludes a low-key August for movie theaters headlined by the release of “Bullet Train” during the first weekend of the month.

“Bullet Train” stars Brad Pitt as an assassin competing with other mercenaries aboard a zooming locomotive in Japan. The action-comedy finished in second place over the weekend, adding $5.6 million to boost its domestic haul to $78 million. It’s grossed $173 million worldwide.

Placing third with $4.9 million was “Beast,” starring Idris Elba as a widower who must protect his daughters from a stalking lion during a trip to South Africa. It’s made $20 million in North America and $36 million globally.

The thriller finished just ahead of “Top Gun: Maverick,” which made $4.8 million during its 14th weekend in theaters.

With a domestic total of $691 million, the high-flying sequel starring Tom Cruise as hotshot Navy pilot Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell is the sixth-biggest movie ever in North America. It could soon crack the top five, with Marvel’s “Black Panther”— which made $700 million domestically — next up on the list.

Last weekend’s domestic box-office winner, “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero,” came in fifth place after adding $4.6 million between Friday and Sunday.

This week’s new releases include the comedy “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.” which comes out simultaneously in theaters and on Peacock on Friday.

Cinemas on Friday will also rerelease last December’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” which made $804 million domestically and $1.9 billion worldwide during its initial theatrical run.