It might be judgment day for the Terminator franchise.

Despite generally favorable reviews and the return of star Linda Hamilton and producer James Cameron, "Terminator: Dark Fate" has opened well below expectations at the box office. Studios on Sunday estimate that "Dark Fate" earned only $29 million from over 4,000 North American locations. The film from Paramount Pictures cost a reported $185 million to produce.

It was enough to win the top spot at the box office, however. Second place went to "Joker," with $13.9 million, and place to "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil" which added $12.1 million.

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Mackenzie Davis, left, and Linda Hamilton in "Terminator: Dark Fate." (Kerry BrownParamount Pictures via AP)

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Mackenzie Davis, left, and Linda Hamilton in "Terminator: Dark Fate." (Kerry BrownParamount Pictures via AP)

Focus Features' Harriet Tubman biopic "Harriet" performed better than expected, earning $12 million from just over 2,000 theaters to take fourth place.

And Edward Norton's "Motherless Brooklyn" opened in ninth to $3.7 million.

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Joaquin Phoenix in a scene from the film "Joker." (Niko TaverniseWarner Bros. Pictures via AP)

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Joaquin Phoenix in a scene from the film "Joker." (Niko TaverniseWarner Bros. Pictures via AP)

 This image released by Disney shows David Gyasi, left, and Michelle Pfeiffer as Queen Ingrith in a scene from "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil." (Jaap BuitendijkDisney via AP)

This image released by Disney shows David Gyasi, left, and Michelle Pfeiffer as Queen Ingrith in a scene from "Maleficent: Mistress of Evil." (Jaap BuitendijkDisney via AP)