Halle Berry stars in the sci-fi sequel

The sequel took $41m (�25m) over the weekend - and has now grossed $149m (�93m) in 10 days.

X-Men 2, based on the popular Marvel comic books about a pack of mutants, looks set to outperform its 2000 predecessor which took $157m (�98m).

Family comedy Daddy Day Care starring Eddie Murphy has opened at number two in the US with $27m (�17m).

Murphy plays an out-of-work executive who opens a babysitting service.

At number three is teenage comedy The Lizzie McGuire Movie, adapted from a US TV programme, which took $7.8m (�4.8m).

Thriller Identity is at number four with $6.3m (�3.9m), followed by the Adam Sandler and Jack Nicholson comedy Anger Management on $5.5m (�3.4m).

New in at seven is folk music spoof A Mighty Wind which reunites stars of the 1984 cult hit This Is Spinal Tap.

Next week's box office will be dominated by the release of the long-awaited Matrix sequel The Matrix Reloaded.

The film, starring Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne, is expected to storm the box office in one of the most anticipated openings of the year.

Also out next week is Down With Love, a romantic comedy starring Ewan McGregor and Renee Zellweger.