Shrek the Third took $122 million
(£61.9 million) in its first weekend, a record for an animated film
in the North American box office.
The Dreamworks picture easily knocked Spider-man 3 off the top
spot; in its third week the Tobey Maguire picture took $28.5
million (£14.5 million).
In third was zombie horror picture 28 Weeks Later while fourth was
Disturbia, raking in $5.2 million (£2.6 million) and $3.7 million
(£1.9 million) respectively. Rounding off the top five was Georgia
Rule, which took $3.5 million (£1.8 million).
But it was the antics of green-skinned Shrek, who in the latest
film indulges in a bit of gentle kingmaking, which dominated sales
over the three-day weekend period.
The movie, which features Eric Idle and Justin Timberlake as well
as regular stars Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy, is
continuing a good summer season for cinema-takings across the
Atlantic.
Two weeks ago Spider-man 3 stormed to the top of the box office
chart, taking $59 million (£30 million) on its opening day
stateside.
And next week sees the release of another enormous Hollywood
franchise in the shape of Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End.
Film pundits are predicting more record-breaking for the third big
trilogy-completing picture of the month.
