The U.S. remake of "Ringu," a Japanese horror film released in January 1998, has been scaring audiences across North America.

"The Ring," directed by Gore Verbinski ("The Mexican," "Mouse Hunt") and starring award-winning Australian actress Naomi Watts, premiered Oct. 18.

It rose to the top of the box office by the end of its first week, but slipped to second spot the following week. By Sunday, it had brought in a cumulative total of $86.1 million.