WILL FERRELL - 'SNAKES' SLITHERS TO TOP OF US BOX OFFICE

'SNAKES' SLITHERS TO TOP OF US BOX OFFICE

Much-hyped movie SNAKES ON A PLANE slithered to the top of the US box office this weekend (ends20AUG06) - but with a more modest $15.25 million (GBP8.5 million) opening weekend than expected. The film had received huge buzz on the Internet before it's opening, with some people predicting box office receipts of up to the $30 million (GBP17 million) mark for its opening weekend. Snakes narrowly beat WILL FERRELL's comedy TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY, which took in $14.1 million (GBP7.8 million) knocking it into second place after two weeks at the top. OLIVER STONE's WORLD TRADE CENTER grabbed the number three spot with $10.8 million (GBP6 million). Teen comedy ACCEPTED, about slackers who start their own university, debuted at number four with $10.1 million (GBP5.6 million). The weekend's other new release, MATERIAL GIRLS, starring HILARY and HAYLIE DUFF as cosmetic company heiresses, opened at number nine with $4.6 million (GBP2.6 million).