'Beauty and the Beast' roars to No. 1

Disney's live-action "Beauty and the Beast" brought in an estimated $170 million in North American ticket sales.

The film became the top release for a G- or PG-rated movie. The previous best debut of a PG-rated movie was Disney's "Finding Dory," which opened last year at $135 million.

"Beauty and the Beast," starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens, found widespread acclaim and some backlash for including what has been called Disney's first openly gay character. Gaston's sidekick, LeFou, is played by Josh Gad.

Read more from The Associated Press.

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