The Interpreter sees Kidman play a UN employee whose life is endangered

The film, directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Nicole Kidman, drew $22.8m (�11.9m) in ticket sales.

It knocked haunted house remake The Amityville Horror from first place after just one week at the top.

Adventure movie Sahara, starring Penelope Cruz and Matthew McConaughey, dropped to third place with takings of $9m (�4.7m).

The success of The Interpreter has been attributed to its appeal to older audiences, with over-35s comprising 60% of its audience.

Limited release

"You look at the demographic and go, how can The Interpreter be number one?" said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

"But if you put the right movie in the marketplace the older audience will go," he continued.

TOP FIVE US FILMS 1. The Interpreter - $22.8m 2. The Amityville Horror - $14.2m 3. Sahara - $9m 4. A Lot Like Love (above) - $7.7m 5. Kung Fu Hustle - $7.3m Source: Exhibitor Relations

In contrast, Ashton Kutcher's new romantic comedy A Lot Like Love performed disappointingly, entering the chart at number four with takings of $7.7m (�4m).

Expanding nationwide after two weeks of limited release, action movie Kung Fu Hustle - starring Hong Kong superstar Stephen Chow - climbed to five with $7.3m (�3.8m).

The only other new title in the Top 10 was kidnapping comedy King's Ransom starring Anthony Anderson. The film, which was not screened to critics prior to release, finished at 10 with just $2.4m (�1.2m).

Overall box office business was down for the ninth straight week, though insiders believe that trend will be reversed next month with the release of Crusades epic Kingdom of Heaven and the new Star Wars film, Revenge of the Sith.