Each of the Fantastic Four possess superhuman powers

The top 12 films took in $141m (�81m) - up 2.25% from the same weekend in 2004, according to industry estimates.

"It took four superheroes to end this slump and Hollywood is grateful," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds slipped to second place in the chart.

Third in the chart was Batman Begins, followed by Dark Water and Mr and Mrs Smith.

US AND CANADA TOP FIVE 1. Fantastic Four 2. War of the Worlds 3. Batman Begins 4. Dark Water 5. Mr and Mrs Smith Source: Exhibitor Relations

Despite receiving largely poor reviews, Fantastic Four exceeded the $40m (�22.9m) opening weekend expectations of its studio 20th Century Fox.

The film, based on the Marvel comics, was 11 years in the making, and cost about $100m (�57.3m).

Welcome news

"Comic-book movies, if properly marketed, are exactly what mainstream audiences want to see in their summer movies," said Mr Dergarabedian.

The end to the box office slump came as welcome news to the industry, but it is still suffering a 7% downturn in revenue on last year.

The release of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this weekend is expected to buoy the industry.

But there are fears that not enough potential blockbusters are set for release in the coming months to sustain the upturn.