NEW YORK — After months of prerelease debate, Sony’s female-led “Ghostbusters” reboot arrived in theaters as neither a massive success nor the bomb some predicted, as the much-scrutinized film opened with an estimated $46 million in North American theaters, second to the holdover hit “The Secret Life of Pets.”

All eyes were on Paul Feig’s “Ghostbusters,” which resurrects the 1984 original with a cast of Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones and Kate McKinnon. Sony, noting it was the best opening for a live-action comedy in more than a year, called the result “a triumph.” Audiences, which broke down 46 percent male and 54 percent female, gave it a solid B-plus CinemaScore.

Yet given its hefty price tag — the film cost $144 million to make, plus more than $100 million to market — it’s a relatively tepid start for “Ghostbusters” that will put pressure on the film to perform well overseas. That could be a challenge in places that don’t have familiarity with the original films.

More sequels had long languished largely because of the continued disinterest of original star Bill Murray. But Feig, who has found critical raves and strong box office for female-starring comedies like “Bridesmaids,” won over the studio with his idea to reboot around McCarthy.

Estimated weekend sales at U.S. and Canadian theaters:

1. “The Secret Life of Pets,” $50.6 million

2. “Ghostbusters,” $46 million

3. “The Legend of Tarzan,” $11.1 million

4. “Finding Dory,” $11 million

5. “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates,” $7.5 million

6. “The Purge: Election Year,” $6.1 million

7. “Central Intelligence,” $5.3 million

8. “The Infiltrator,” $5.3 million

9. “The BFG,” $6.7 million

10. “Independence Day: Resurgence,” $3.5 million