LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Sony's “Bad Boys For Life,” the follow up to the “Bad Boys” franchise, claimed the top spot at the North American box office this weekend with $59 million, according to industry estimates out today.

Industry experts said it was a better than expected opening for the film, which now represents the biggest R-rated opening ever for Sony Pictures and the industry's second highest opening of all-time for the month of January.

The action comedy directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. It's the second highest Sony/Smith opening, and Lawrence's biggest opening of all-time.

Coming in second, Universal's PG-rated “Dolittle” took in an estimated $22.53 million; in third, Universal's “1917” -- in its fourth weekend -- earned $22.14 million this weekend.

Rounding out the 10 top -grossing films of the weekend were: “Jumanji: The Next Level” ($9.5 million), “Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker” ($8.3 million), “Just Mercy” ($6 million), “Little Women” ($5.9 million), “Knives Out” ($4.3 million), “Like a Boss” ($3.8 million) and “Frozen 2” ($3.7 million).