Movies
The blockbuster monster movie took nearly twice as much money as its nearest rival 27 Dresses in its first week.
Last week's number one The Bucket List slipped to third, while Ted Danson and Katie Holmes' crime comedy Mad Money was another new entry at number seven.
Atonement remained in the top 10 following its glut of nominations for Golden Globes and Oscars.
Here is the full top 10:
1. (-) Cloverfield - $46,037,000
2. (-) 27 Dresses - $27,270,000
3. (1) The Bucket List -$16,110,000
4. (3) Juno - $12,000,000
5. (2) First Sunday - $9,400,000
6. (4) National Treasure: Book of Secrets - $9,359,000
7. (-) Mad Money - $9,200,000
8. (5) Alvin and the Chipmunks - $9, 200,000
9. (6) I Am Legend - $5, 715, 000
10. (10) Atonement - $5,690, 199
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