CHRISTIAN BALE - DARK KNIGHT TOPS US CHART FOR FOURTH WEEK

DARK KNIGHT TOPS US CHART FOR FOURTH WEEK

The Dark Knight managed to see off strong competition at the weekend to remain top of the US box office for a fourth week running.

Despite a strong opening, Sony comedy Pineapple Express had to settle with second place after taking $22.4 million (£11.6 million) over the weekend.

The latest Batman epic, starring Christian Bale and Heath Ledger, has now taken a total of $441.5 million (£230 million) since it opened last month.

In third at the box office is The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor while teen comedy The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 is in fourth.

Rounding off the top five is Will Ferrell's latest film, Step Brothers.

With The Dark Knight's success the film has now taken third place on the all-time US box office chart. The original Star Wars film is in second while Titanic holds the number one spot.