THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA - NARNIA KNOCKS HARRY POTTER FROM THE TOP

New fantasy movie THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE has become America's new box office box office champion after debuting with $67.1 million (GBP37.2 million) in box office takings.

HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE, the number one film for the previous two weekends, slipped to third place with $10.3 million (GBP5.7 million).

GEORGE CLOONEY's acclaimed movie SYRIANA took second place with a haul of $12 million (GBP6.6 million), while WALK THE LINE and YOURS, MINE + OURS round out the top five with $5.75 million (GBP3.1 million) and $5.15 million (GBP2.8 million) respectively.

On limited release, Oscar hopefuls BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN and MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA had stellar debuts.

HEATH LEDGER and JAKE GYLLENHAAL's Brokeback Mountain took in $544,549 (GBP302,500) at just five cinemas, while MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA grossed $674,000 (GBP374,400) in eight theatres.