LOS ANGELES — Liam Neeson’s “Taken 2” has defended its box-office title with a narrow win over Ben Affleck’s “Argo.”

Sunday studio estimates put 20th Century Fox’s action sequel “Taken 2” at No. 1 with $22.5 million in its second weekend. “Taken 2” raised its domestic total to $86.8 million.

Affleck’s “Argo,” an Iranian hostage thriller from Warner Bros., opened in second-place with $20.1 million.

Ethan Hawke’s “Sinister,” about a true-crime writer caught up in supernatural horror, debuted at No. 3 with $18.3 million. The movie was released by Lionsgate’s Summit Entertainment banner.

Sony’s “Here Comes the Boom,” with Kevin James as a teacher who becomes a mixed martial arts sensation, started weakly at No. 5 with $12 million.

The weekend’s other new wide release, CBS Films’ crime comedy “Seven Psychopaths,” also opened to small crowds, taking in $4.3 million to finish at No. 9. The movie’s ensemble cast includes Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Christopher Walken and Woody Harrelson.

1. “Taken 2,” $22.5 million ($41 million international).

2. “Argo,” $20.1 million.

3. “Sinister,” $18.3 million ($4 million international).

4. “Hotel Transylvania,” $17.3 million ($13.7 million international).

5. “Here Comes the Boom,” $12 million.

6. “Pitch Perfect,” $9.3 million.

7. “Frankenweenie,” $7 million ($4.9 million international).

8. “Looper,” $6.3 million ($7.5 million international).

9. “Seven Psychopaths,” $4.3 million.