LOS ANGELES, USA (AP) — With its supercharged muscle cars, Fast & Furious 6 raced to first place at the box office for the second consecutive weekend.

The Universal Pictures release is expected to add another US$34.5 million to its North American ticket sales, keeping it in the No 1 spot after opening to more than US$120 million over the Memorial Day holiday.

Box-office analyst Paul Dergarabedian said the sixth instalment in the street-racing franchise was “pre-ordained to be No 1 again.” But in a season of sequels, three original films were among the most popular at cinemas over the weekend.

“Ordinarily, summer and sequel go together,” he said. “This is a step in the direction of originality.”

Among the new original offerings was the magic-heist thriller Now You See Me, which exceeded industry expectations to debut in second place with US$28.1 million. The Lionsgate/Summit Entertainment release features an ensemble cast, including Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Woody Harrelson in a tale of illusionists who rob banks and share the spoils with their audience.

“It certainly has been magic for us to watch the numbers this weekend,” said Richie Fay, Lionsgate’s president of domestic distribution, who attributes the film’s success to a “brilliant marketing campaign” and positive word of mouth.