Chihuahua top dog at US box office

Beverly Hills Chihuahua has taken the number one slot on the US box office, giving Disney its best ever October opening.

Featuring Drew Barrymore as the voice of a pampered pet who gets lost in Mexico, the family comedy made $29 million (£16.5 million) during its first three days on release.

Disney president of distribution Chuck Viane called the movie's surprise success "terrific", especially as there were seven films released in the same week.

"It's not easy to compete when there is that much distraction and people are being pulled in every direction," he told Variety.

Last week's number one Eagle Eye, starring Shia LaBeouf, fell back to second place, while Nick And Norah's Infinite Playlist opened at number three.

Nights In Rodanthe – starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane – fell to fourth place, while Ed Harris' new Western Appaloosa completed the top five.

Titles related to this article

Related/similar articles

• Burn After Reading takes UK number one (22 October 2008)
• New in Town (23 February 2009)
• Beverly Hills Chihuahua boss lands Smurfs movie (9 July 2009)
• Harry Potter and the Perils of Fame (14 July 2009)
• Douglas to be honoured with dad's award at Santa Barbara Film Festival (7 September 2011)
• Gere to be honoured at Rome Film Festival (21 September 2011)