THE LORD OF THE RINGS - GOLDEN COMPASS FAILS TO SHINE

The Golden Compass has made a disappointing impact upon the North American box office, despite going straight to number one.

The $180 million (£88 million) adaptation of Philip Pullman's The Northern Lights made $26.1 million (£12.8 million) in its first three days, more than twice as much as its nearest chart rival.

But New Line Cinema says it is disappointed with the opening figures, which are dwarfed by the $65.6 million (£32.1 million) made by The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in December two years ago.

New Line's own The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King grossed $72.6 million (£35.5 million) during its first three days of release in 2003.

Despite The Golden Compass, which stars Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, making $55 million (£26.9 million) on the international stage, Screen International says that the studio faces some tough decisions if it is to make the remaining two parts of the His Dark Materials trilogy.

Elsewhere at the North American box office Buena Vista's Enchanted remained in second place, with This Christmas, Fred Claus and Beowulf completing the top five.

North American box office

1 The Golden Compass - $26.1 million (£12.8 million)
2 Enchanted - $10.7 million (£5.2 million)
3 This Christmas - $5 million (£2.4 million)
4 Fred Claus - $4.7 million (£2.3 million)
5 Beowulf - $4.4 million (£2.2 million)
6 No Country For Old Men - $4.2 million (£2.1 million)
7 August Rush - $3.52 million (£1.7 million)
8 Hitman - $3.48 million (£1.7 million)
9 Awake TWC - $3.3 million (£1.6 million)
10 Bee Movie - $2.6 million (£1.3 million)