The Grudge is a remake of Japanese thriller Ju-On

The film, starring Buffy actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, is a remake of a recent Japanese haunted house thriller.

Animated film Shark Tale fell to number two after three weeks on the top spot, while Finding Neverland rose one place to number three.

Bad Santa entered the chart at four and Nicole Kidman's controversial film, Birth, was a new entry at five.

UK AND IRELAND TOP FIVE 1. The Grudge 2. Shark Tale 3. Finding Neverland 4. Bad Santa 5. Birth Source: Screen International

The film, which took �424,600, also stars Lauren Bacall.

In the film, Kidman plays a grieving wife who believes a her dead husband has been reincarnated as a 10-year-old boy.

It was booed at the Cannes Film Festival for scenes where she shares a bath and a kiss with the boy.

French film Look at Me was another new entry in the chart, coming in at number 12.

The remake of the classic 1960s film Alfie, starring Jude Law, dropped out of the top five, as did Alien vs Predator.