Kevin James stars as 'Paul Blart'

The film, in which James plays an over-zealous security guard, knocked Clint Eastwood's latest directorial/acting offering Gran Torino into second place - one week after the drama became the biggest opening movie of Eastwood's career with takings of $29 million (GBP19.5 million).

Torino's second week in theatres earned the film another $22.2 million (GBP14.9 million), beating out new horror film My Bloody Valentine 3-D, starring Jaime King, which took in $21.9 million (GBP14.7 million).

New release Notorious, about late rapper Notorious B.I.G., wrapped up the fourth spot, taking in $21.5 million (GBP14.4 million).

And taking the fifth spot, Lisa Kudrow's family film Hotel for Dogs took in $17.7 million (GBP11.9 million) on its opening weekend.

Source: WENN