Morgan Freeman reprises his role as God in the comedy sequel

The film - which had a budget of $175m (�87m) - generated $32.1m (�16.1m) in three days, estimates suggest.

Little Miss Sunshine's Steve Carell plays a politician instructed by God to build an ark, in the follow-up to the hit 2003 movie starring Jim Carrey.

New at number two was 1408, adapted from a Stephen King horror story.

It features John Cusack and Samuel L Jackson in the lead roles, and tells of a man trapped in a haunted hotel room.

The Angelina Jolie drama A Mighty Heart, based on the murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, opened at number 10 with takings of $4m (�2m).

NORTH AMERICAN BOX OFFICE 1. Evan Almighty ($32.1m) 2. 1408 ($20.2m) 3. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer ($20.2m) 4. Ocean's Thirteen ($11.3m) 5. Knocked Up ($10.6m) 6. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End ($7.2m) 7. Surf's Up ($6.7m) 8. Shrek the Third ($5.8m) 9. Nancy Drew ($4.5m) 10. A Mighty Heart (pictured, $4.0m) Source: Media By Numbers

The film. which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, has received a positive critical reception, with Jolie - as Pearl's wife - already tipped for Oscar attention.

Last week's number one, comic book adventure Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, fell to third place.

There were no other entries in the top 10.

Meanwhile Michael Moore's healthcare documentary, Sicko, was officially released in just one cinema in New York ahead of its nationwide opening.

One-off previews in 43 other cinemas on Saturday night sold out.

Ticket were changing hands for up to $40 (�20) each, said Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of the company which is releasing the film.