'Torino' beats 'Bride Wars' to US top spot

Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino has claimed the number one spot at the US box office.

The drama, which the 78-year-old directed and stars in, holds off competition from Kate Hudson/Anne Hathaway comedy Bride Wars and horror movie The Unborn to take first place.

With weekend takings of $29 million, Gran Torino smashes Eastwood's previous box office record of $18 million, set in 2000 for Space Cowboys.

Last week's number one Marley & Me falls to number four, while Bill Duke's drama Not Easily Broken is a new chart entry at number nine.

The US box office top ten in full:

1. (14) Gran Torino - $29,025,000
2. (-) Bride Wars - $21,500,000
3. (-) The Unborn - $21,095,000
4. (1) Marley & Me - $11,350,000
5. (3) The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button - $9,450,000
6. (2) Bedtime Stories - $8,550,000
7. (4) Valkyrie - $6,662,000
8. (5) Yes Man - $6,155,000
9. (-) Not Easily Broken - $5,600,000
10. (6) Seven Pounds - $3,900,000