Jim Carrey voices the rubbery elephant lead character

Production company 20th Century Fox said the film, which features actor Jim Carrey's voice for the title character, said it had exceeded expectations.

Last weekend's number one, 10,000 BC, slipped into second place, with Never Back Down debuting in third place.

College Road Trip was at four, and Vantage Point rounded off the top five.

Impressive debut

The Dr Seuss movie has helped Jim Carrey score his most impressive debut at the box office in five years.

His biggest to date was Bruce Almighty in May 2003, which took $67.9m in its opening wekend.

British film The Bank Job, starring Jason Statham, landed at sixth place, with action thriller Doomsday at number seven.

It was the only other new release in the top 10 after taking $4.7m (�2.3m).

Will Ferrell's Semi-Pro was at eight, with The Other Boleyn Girl in ninth postion followed by The Spiderwick Chronicles.