The Hunger Games sequel conquers North American box office

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 has overthrown Dumb And Dumber To to land the biggest North American box office debut of the year (14) so far with an impressive $123 million gross.

The third film in the franchise, based on the dystopian book series by Suzanne Collins, proved a popular choice with moviegoers, but fell significantly short of the $158 million take last year's (13) The Hunger Games: Catching Fire banked in its opening weekend.

Mockingjay - Part 1, starring Jennifer Lawrence as heroine Katniss Everdeen, performed better outside of the US and Canada, where it raked in $152 million in the international box office.

Meanwhile, comedy Dumb and Dumber To slips to four on the new North American countdown, behind Big Hero 6 at two with $20.1 million and Interstellar at three with a $15.1 million take in its third week on release.

Gone Girl rounds out the top five at five.