Adam Sandler film Mr Deeds has ended Minority Report's short reign at the top of the US box office charts.

The adaptation of the classic Mr Deeds Goes To Town took in $37.6m (�24.5m), pushing Steven Spielberg's science fiction thriller into third place with animated feature Lilo & Stich taking the second spot.

Sandler's sold a lot of tickets over the years, and he still has his core audience

Paul Dergarabedian, Exhibitor Relations

Minority Report, starring Tom Cruise took $21.6 (�14m), while the Disney feature pulled in $22.2m (�14.4m).

The weekend's other new big release, an animated TV adaptation Hey Arnold! The Movie, opened in sixth position, taking $6m (�3.9m).

The top 12 films grossed $131.9m (�86m), up 12% over the same weekend period last year.

On average box office receipts are 20% up on last year and the trend looks to continue with the release of Men in Black II over the 4 July holiday period in the US.

Poor reviews

"This weekend was excellent, but I think next weekend with Men in Black, we could be looking at some record-breaking numbers," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

Tom Cruise delighted fans at the UK premiere

Sandler's success in Mr Deeds has come despite poor reviews and a recent string of box office flops.

"With that audience, he's four stars," said Jeff Blake, head of distribution and marketing for Sony, which released Mr Deeds.

"I think the audience went a little older than his usual given the romantic comedy subject matter, but it still played to his strength, the teens and young adults."

Original

Sandler stars as a small-town inhabitant who inherits $40bn only to find himself clashing with city dwellers because of his homely values.

US box office

1. Mr Deeds 2. Lilo & Stich 3. Minority Report 4. Scooby Doo 5. The Bourne Identity

Gary Cooper starred in the original 1936 film, directed by Frank Capra.

Since the success of The Waterboy and Big Daddy, Sandler's films, most notably Little Nicky, have disappointed.

"A lot of people were wondering after Little Nicky if Sandler still had the goods," Mr Dergarabedian said.

"Obviously, he still does. The guy's sold a lot of tickets over the years, and he still has his core audience."

Disney's Lilo & Stich held second spot

Spider-Man, the most popular film of the year, exited the top 10 for the first time, in its ninth weekend on release.

It has now taken $395.7m (�257m) and should pass the $400m mark next week.

The year's number two film, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, is in 10th spot, and so far has earned $286.1m (�186m).