Vampire fantasy lured in cinema-goers

The sci-fi fantasy film, featuring a war between vampires and werewolves, stars British actress Kate Beckinsale.

The second spot was taken by comedy The Fighting Temptations, with rapper and actor Cuba Gooding Junior and R&B star Beyonce Knowles.

The film took $13.2m (�8m), one of five new features released in what has been a sluggish month for US cinema so far.

But Woody Allen's latest effort, Anything Else, starring Christina Ricci, could manage only an estimated $1.7m (�1m) in its first weekend.

Mike Figgis film Cold Creek Manor, with Sharon Stone and Dennis Quaid, fared better but still only took an estimated $8.3m (�5.3m).

It was left to wildcard Second Lions, starring Robert Duvall and Michael Caine, to secure third place, with takings of $12.9m (�7.8m), much more than was expected.

Once Upon a Time in Mexico took $11.5m (�7m), down 51% from its debut a week earlier. But it still took fourth spot and has picked up about $41.4m (�25m) in the last 10 days.

Despite a slow start for the North American box office during early September, the total takings for the current top dozen films are up 37% from the same time last year.