Joaquin Phoenix also starred in Shyamalan's thriller Signs

Joaquin Phoenix stars in the film, which took around $9.5m (�5.3m) in 23 countries over the weekend.

The film, from the makers of Signs and The Sixth Sense, was released in seven countries last week and reached the number one spot in all seven.

The story involves a community trapped in to an uneasy existence by creatures who live in the surrounding woods.

The Village took over $2.2m (�1.2m ) in Australia over the weekend, 40% more than Shyamalan's hit 2000 film Unbreakable.

The supernatural film was released in North America, Canada and the UK in August and went to number one in all three countries on its first weekend.

The weekend's other blockbusters making an impact around the world included the big screen version of cartoon cat Garfield.

The feline comedy did particularly well in Spain, where it went to number one, taking $4m (�2.2).

The latest King Arthur adaption, starring Clive Owen in the title role, faired well in Greece, taking $1.4m (�785,000).

Steven Spielberg's airport romance, The Terminal, hit number one spot in the UK with a box office of $2.6 (�1.5m).