Top five US films

1. Hannibal 2. Down to Earth 3. Recess: School's Out 4.Sweet November 5. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Hannibal's stronghold kept new comedy Down to Earth, starring Chris Rock, in second place with $17.5m (�12m).

High school animation Recess: School's Out followed, debuting at number three with $10.8m (�7.4m).

Global hit

Hannibal's success in the UK and US is reflected elsewhere around the world.

In Italy also, the movie remained in the number one position this weekend in its second week.

Keanu Reeves stars in Sweet November

Early indications suggest it will go on to the top of the movie charts in Britain, Australia and Germany its first weekend when figures are released on Tuesday.

Back in the US, the week's other new release Sweet November came in at number four with $10.6m (�7.3m).

The romantic drama stars Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron in a remake of the 1968 movie starring Sandy Dennis and Anthony Newley.

Box office boost

Following the announcement of the Oscar nominations last week, some best picture contenders enjoyed a fruitful weekend.

Director Ang Lee's Chinese-language Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon opened in a further 447 cinemas - bringing its reach to 1,651.

As a result, its takings rose by 62% to $8.8m (�6m) and giving it the number five position.

Juliette Binoche enjoys an Oscar nomination boost

Chocolat, starring Juliette Binoche, was released in a further 333 cinemas, bringing it to 1,481. It took in $4.8m (�3.3m) - an increase of 56% - and held the number nine spot.

Traffic, another best picture nominee, also boosted its weekend takings, putting it sixth in the charts.

The drug-war thriller starring Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones and Benicio del Toro saw its ticket sales rise by 47% to $6.5m (�4.4m).

Meanwhile, Tom Hanks's Cast Away finally fell out of the top five to number eight with takings of $5m (�3.4m).