KEANU REEVES - NO STANDSTILL FOR KEANU AS NEW THRILLER TOPS US BOX OFFICE

NO STANDSTILL FOR KEANU AS NEW THRILLER TOPS US BOX OFFICE

The Day the Earth Stood Still, a sci-fi remake starring Keanu Reeves, has topped the US box office after its opening weekend.

The 20th Century Fox movie earned an estimated $31 million to easily claim the top spot across the Atlantic.

Scott Derrickson's remake of the 1951 classic sees Reeves as Klaatu, the ambassador for an alien race that arrives suddenly on Earth and threatens the future of the planet.

"Audiences were moved to see the Earth stand still," said Fox's senior vice-president of distribution Chris Aronson.

"We're in orbit over this opening. To gross $70 million worldwide on a film that cost $80 million is fantastic."

Last week's number one film Four Christmases dropped to second while Twilight fell one place to third.

The vampire romance took $8 million at the weekend, taking its total earnings to a huge $150.1 million in one month.

The top ten films in the US are: (last week's position)

1 The Day the Earth Stood Still (-)
2 Four Christmases (1)
3 Twilight (2)
4 Bolt (3)
5 Australia (4)
6 Quantum of Solace (5)
7 Nothing Like the Holidays (-)
8 Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (6)
9 Milk (11)
10 Transporter 3 (7)