Captain Marvel, Marvel's first female-fronted superhero movie, conquers weekend box office

Female power has reared up at the box office in a big way.

Captain Marvel,the Marvel Studiosmovie featuring Carol Danvers, has become one of the biggest blockbusters ever led by a woman.

The movie, starring Brie Larson as Danvers, took in $153 million US in its first weekend in North American theatres.The total globally is $455 million. Its global launch represents the biggest ever female-fronted film, surpassingBeauty and the Beast($357 million), according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Only The Avengersmovies, Black Panther, Captain America: Civil Warand Iron Man 3have opened better in the Marvel cinematic universe. Number twoat the box office this past weekend was last week's leader, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, followed by A Madea Family Funeral, Lego Movie 2: The Second Partand Alita: Battle Angel.

On Saturday night, Larsonappeared at a movie theatre in Clifton, N.J., about 16 kilometreswest of New York.

The North Jersey Record reports theatre patrons at the AMC Theatre initially didn't seem to notice Larson, who was dressed in a Captain Marvel sweatsuit. But soon her appearance caused a stir, and numerous photos posted online showed her posing with fans and even serving popcorn from a concession stand.