LOS ANGELES — The “Hunger Games” finale spoiled an early Christmas for the holiday horror comedy “Krampus” to maintain its top spot at the North American box office for the third week running.

The Jennifer Lawrence-led film took in an estimated $18.6 million in the U.S. and Canada, bringing its domestic total to $227 million, according to Rentrak estimates Sunday.

The anti-Santa Claus thriller from Universal, the only film to debut in the top 10 this week, brought in $16 million.

The normally slow weekend following Thanksgiving was up 26 percent from a year ago thanks to the fresh fodder from Universal.

“Even though it’s horror at its base, you needed to have enough time for the film to open and lead up to Christmas,” said Nicholas Carpou, Universal Pictures’ president of domestic distribution.

Modestly budgeted for under $15 million, “Krampus” is likely to add to the profits of what has been a record year for Universal.