'The American' tops US box office

The American has debuted at the top of the US box office.

The thriller, starring George Clooney, earned $12 million over the weekend.

Also debuting this week were Robert Rodriguez's Machete at number three with $11 million and Drew Barrymore's rom-com Going The Distance in fifth place with $6 million.

The Expendables slips to the number six spot, followed by The Other Guys and Eat Pray Love.

Finally, Inception drops to number nine with $4 million and Nanny McPhee claims the number ten position with $3 million.

The US box office top ten in full:

1. (-) The American - $12,968,000
2. (1) Takers - $11,450,000
3. (-) Machete - $11,300,000
4. (2) The Last Exorcism - $7,645,000
5. (5) Going The Distance - $6,885,000
6. (3) The Expendables - $6,592,000
7. (5) The Other Guys - $5,400,000
8. (4) Eat Pray Love - $4,850,000
9. (7) Inception - $4,530,000
10. (8) Nanny McPhee Returns - $3,575,000