Comedy film tops box office for first time in two years

This image released by Universal Pictures shows Kevin Hart, from left, Tiffany Haddish and Taran Killam in a scene from the film, "Night School." (Universal Pictures via AP)

NEW YORK — For the first time in more than two years, a straight-up comedy is No. 1 at the box office.

Studio estimates Sunday say Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish’s “Night School” debuted with $28 million in ticket sales.

The race for the weekend top spot was, in the end, a laugher. The animated release “Smallfoot” trailed in second with $23 million.

Not since Melissa McCarthy’s “The Boss” topped the box office in April 2016 has a comedy that didn’t mix other genre elements been No. 1.

The romantic comedy “Crazy Rich Asians” was a huge success and Tyler Perry’s two horror-comedies “Boo! A Madea Halloween” landed at the top.

But “Night School” is the rare recent comedy to lead all films based purely on the draw of its stars.