The Cat in the Hat is based on a Dr Seuss book

The film took $25.6m (�16m) in three days to take first place, despite strong competition from Eddie Murphy's The Haunted Mansion and comedy Elf.

The Haunted Mansion was second, taking $300,000 (�187,000) less than The Cat in the Hat.

The Cat in the Hat is based on the children's book by author Dr Seuss.

US top five films 1. The Cat in the Hat - $25.6m (�16m) 2. The Haunted Mansion - $25.3m (�14.8m) 3 Elf - $22.2m (�13.02m) 4. Gothika - $12.7m (�7.45m) 5. Master and Commander - $12.7m (�7.45m)

The Thanksgiving record of $232m (�136.10m) was set in 2000, led by How the Grinch Stole Christmas, another Seuss adaptation starring Jim Carrey.

After two weekends in cinemas, The Cat in the Hat has taken $77m (�45.17m), while Elf's total stands at $130.1m (�76.32m).

Bad Santa, a dark comedy starring Billy Bob Thornton, was at six in the box office chart with weekend takings of $12.5m (�7.33m). The Missing, a Western starring Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett, was at seven with $11.7m (�6.86m).

Overall ticket sales were strong, with the top 12 films making $209.5m (�122.9m), an 8% improvement on last year.