Heroes in a half shell top the chart

Although the cartoon series ended some time ago, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have returned - and this time they have topped the US box office chart.

The computer animated film, entitled TMNT, was the most popular film in cinemas across the pond this weekend, generating $25.45 million (£12.46 million) and knocking historical epic 300 into second place.

All four turtles are back, as is roving reporter April O'Neill, mutant rat Master Splinter and Casey Jones, an ally of the sewer-dwelling, pizza-loving foursome who battle against the evil forces above ground in Manhattan.

The film's success could be down to the actors voicing each animated character, including Sarah Michelle Gellar as April O'Neill, Patrick Stewart as Max Winters and Laurence Fishburne as the narrator.

Meanwhile, new releases took six of the nine places left in the top ten, including Mark Wahlberg's Shooter and horror sequel The Hills Have Eyes 2.

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