US and Canada box office

1. The Panic Room 2. Ice Age 3. The Rookie 4. Blade 2 5. Clockstoppers 6. ET: The Extra Terrestrial 7. Death to Smoochy 8. A Beautiful Mind 9. We Were Soldiers 10. Showtime

Foster stars as a recently divorced mother who, along with her daughter, is hiding from burglars in a room in their New York home.

It is Foster's biggest opening for a film.

Jeff Blake, from Sony Pictures Entertainment, who released the movie, said he is delighted with the film's success.

"David Fincher directing and Jodie Foster starring gave the movie a great pedigree for adults but played as a really exciting thriller for younger viewers."

Takings for animated feature Ice Age remain high

The animated adventure Ice Age held on to the number two spot with $18.6m (�13m), bringing its total to $117.3m (�82.1m).

And Disney comedy The Rookie, which stars Dennis Quaid, opened in third with $15.8m (�11m), while last week's number one film, Blade 2, fell to number four.

The Wesley Snipes vampire movie took $13.2m (�9.2m).

Rounding out the top five was another new entry Clockstoppers.

The sci-fi film, about a boy who finds a watch that makes the rest of the world appear as if it has stopped, earned $10.1m (�7m).

There was disappointment for Robin Williams, as his new film Death to Smoochy limped in at number seven with $4.3m (�3m).

Blade 2 has slipped to number four

A Beautiful Mind, which won the Oscar for best film, moved up one place to number eight - its total is now $161m (�112.8m).

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, edged over the $300m (�210.2m)-mark.

After adding $2.3m (�1.6m) to its take over the weekend, the fantasy film has earned $301.2m (�211m).