Spider-Man 3 sees Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst in the lead roles

The action movie generated $60m (£30.3m) in three days, early estimates suggest, compared to $10m (£5.1m) for British drama 28 Weeks Later.

The film is the sequel to London-based zombie thriller 28 Days Later, and made its debut at number two.

Georgia Rule, starring Jane Fonda and Lindsay Lohan, was new at number three.

NORTH AMERICAN BOX OFFICE 1. Spider-Man 3 ($60.0m) 2. 28 Weeks Later ($10.0m, pictured) 3. Georgia Rule ($5.9m) 4. Disturbia ($4.8m) 5. Delta Farce ($3.5m) 6. Fracture ($2.9m) 7. The Invisible ($2.2m) 8. Hot Fuzz ($1.7m) 9=. Next ($1.6m) 9=. Meet the Robinsons ($1.6m) Source: Media By Numbers

Surveillance thriller Disturbia, a former chart-topper, fell two places to fourth place, while war parody Delta Farce entered at this week's number five.

Spider-Man 3 suffered a 60% drop from its opening weekend, more than either of its two predecessors.

But film studio Columbia said it was unconcerned about the difference given the movie's record-breaking first weekend, when it earned $151m (£76.1m).

Industry analysts believe it is unlikely that Spider-Man 3 will secure a third week on top in the US and Canada, however, as next weekend sees the release of animated comedy Shrek the Third.