Strong opening for Van Helsing

Monster flick Van Helsing took an estimated $54.2 million (£30.3 million) in its first weekend in North America.

The $160 million movie, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale, opened on Friday.

The film is tipped to become one of the summer's biggest blockbusters, despite mixed reviews, but is likely to see profits dented by next week's epic release, Troy.

A Universal spokesman also revealed that the movie earned a further $53 million (£29.7 million) from 41 international territories, including $9.7 million (£5.4 million) from Britain, over the weekend.

Van Helsing follows the story of vampire-slayer Van Helsing, played by Jackman, and a Transylvanian beauty (Beckinsale). It also features Dracula, his three brides, Frankenstein's Monster and Wolf Man. The film was written and directed by Stephen Sommers, the man behind the two Mummy movies.

Some critics hated the film and described it variously as "monstrous overkill" (Orlando Sentinel) and "howlingly knuckle-headed" (Toronto Star".

The US box office top ten also saw comedy New York Minute, starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen open at number four, taking $6.2 million (£3.5 million).

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