RIDLEY SCOTT - GANGSTER KILLS AT US BOX OFFICE

GANGSTER KILLS AT US BOX OFFICE

Ridley Scott's new film America Gangster has stormed to the top of the US box office after its first three days on release.

The Universal Studios crime thriller - starring Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington - took an estimated $46.3 million (£22.6 million) in its opening weekend, knocking Jerry Seinfeld's new animated film Bee Movie into second spot.

It was the biggest ever opening for both Crowe and Washington, surpassing Gladiator's $34.8 million (£16.7 million) debut and Inside Man's $29 million (£13.9 million) opening weekend in March 2006.

"It's a great movie, and the timing was perfect to jump-start the business," Universal distribution president Nikki Rocco told the Hollywood Reporter.

The previous six weekends had all registered year-on-year declines for box office grosses.

"Everything just worked," Rocco added. "The picture was well done and well marketed, and it was placed in the market at a time when its adult audience could embrace it."

Bee Movie took an impressive $39.1 million (£18.8 million) to push last week's number one Saw IV into third, while Disney's Steve Carell comedy Dan in Real Life grossed a creditable $8.l million (£3.9 million) in its second week on release to finish fourth.

American Gangster hits UK screens on November 16th.