Harry Potter casts spell over U.S. box office

Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince has continued to bewitch moviegoers as the top earner at the U.S. box office, after conjuring another £53 million in its opening weekend (begs17Jul09).

The sixth movie in the boy wizard franchise has earned £106.5 million in the U.S. since debuting worldwide on Wednesday (15Jul09).

The latest installment, starring Daniel Radcliffe as Potter, has also taken in £158 million overseas since its international opening, bringing its worldwide total in 54 countries to a staggering £264.5 million.

The franchise's U.S. box office total soared above second place contender, animated comedy Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, which took in £11.8 million in its third week.

Still in the third spot was action blockbuster Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, with co-stars Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox helping the franchise rake in another £9.2 million. The film's four week total now boasts an impressive £242.6 million.

Rounding out the top five are Sacha Baron Cohen's off-the-wall comedy Bruno - which was knocked from its first place ranking to number four - and The Hangover, which took in £5.6 million and £5.5 million respectively.

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