Paul Blart back on top at the US box office

Kevin James’ comedy Paul Blart: Mall Cop continued to win over US audiences this weekend to the tune of $21.5 million and a second week at first place.

Blart’s success meant that Underworld prequel Rise Of The Lycans had to settle for second, but did decent business with $20.7 million. Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino took third place, making $16 million and $97.5 million so far.

Fourth place found canine comedy Hotel For Dogs, while Slumdog Millionaire enjoyed both an increase in cinemas and an awards bump, taking in 10.5 million in fifth.

Inkheart, meanwhile, flopped badly, arriving in seventh place with $7.7 million. Isn’t that a magic number with all those sevens, we hear you ask? Um, not in box office figures, no.

The full top 10 in listed form:

1. Paul Blart: Mall Cop ($21.5 million)
2. Underworld: Rise Of The Lycans ($20.7 million)
3. Gran Torino ($16 million)
4. Hotel For Dogs (($12.3 million)
5. Slumdog Millionaire ($10.5 million)
6. My Bloody Valentine 3D ($10 million)
7. Inkheart ($7.7 million)
8. Bride Wars ($7 million)
9. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button ($6 million)
10. Notorious ($5.7 million)