Nuclear thriller The Sum of All Fears continues to take the US by storm as it holds on to the box office top spot.

Based on the novel by Tom Clancy, the movie sees Ben Affleck play Jack Ryan, a part played by Harrison Ford in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger.

The terrorist thriller, which also stars Morgan Freeman, took $18.7m (�12.8m) to take its total takings to $61.7m (�42.3m) in two weeks, according to studio estimates.

The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood is based on the best-selling novel

Its release was delayed following the tragedy of 11 September because of the sensitive nature of its storyline.

The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood entered the chart at number two in its first week of release, with ticket sales of $16.3m (�11.1m).

The movie of Rebecca Wells' best-selling book about a group of young friends in the 30s stars Sandra Bullock, Maggie Smith and Gina McKee.

Surprise hit

It marks the directorial debut of Callie Khouri, who won an Oscar for her Thelma and Louise screenplay.

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones is continuing to attract big audiences, four weeks after its worldwide release, taking third place in the chart.

US box office chart

1. Sum of All Fears 2. Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood 3. Stars Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones 4. Bad Company 5. Spider-Man

New entry at number four is Bad Company another CIA story, this time a comedy starring Chris Rock and Anthony Hopkins as mismatched agents, which has taken $10.5m (�7.2m).

Spider-Man the movie took �10m over the weekend period, bringing its US gross takings to $370m (�253.8m) in six weeks.

Worldwide takings for the movie are expected to leap when it opens in the UK on Friday.

Surprise hit Undercover Brother, a comedy rooted in blaxploitation classic Shaft, is at number six, with box office receipts of $7.3m (�5m).