"Taken 2" held off a crowded field of new movies to retain its box office crown, as according to Film.com the Liam Neeson revenge fantasy earned a solid $22.5 million.

That was just enough to take out Ben Affleck's critically acclaimed thriller "Argo" ($20.1 million) and Ethan Hawke's creepy horror show "Sinister" ($18.3 million). Kevin James' MMA comedy "Here Comes the Boom," meanwhile, got caught in its own chokehold and managed just $12 million for a fifth place debut.

For a full rundown of the weekend box office, including figures for new releases "Seven Psychopaths" and "Atlas Shrugged Part 2" as well as returning hits "Hotel Transylvania" and "Pitch Perfect," head to Film.com.