Animated film Beowulf has conquered the US box office this week, displacing Bee Movie at the top of the charts.

The action picture, which is based on an English poem about a hero's battle with evil monsters, grossed $28.1 million (£13.67 million) and finished far ahead of children's comedy Bee Movie and Russell Crowe film American Gangster.

Beowulf, which stars Ray Winstone and Angelina Jolie, is the second film directed by Robert Zemeckis to use the pioneering performance capture technique and movie executives sound upbeat about the new filming method.

Rob Moore, Paramount's president of worldwide marketing and distribution, said: "Robert Zemeckis is such a great filmmaker, and people just really responded to the style and storytelling of the picture.

"There was a great contribution from the 3D screens, and it tells you that the audience is really interested in experiencing the richness and strength that the 3D experience give you. It really gives us great encouragement going forward about what 3D can do."

Family film Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium - starring Closer star Natalie Portman - and Nicole Kidman's Margot at the Wedding also opened at the cinema this week.

Meanwhile American Gangster, which is directed by Ridley Scott of Gladiator fame, moved past the important £100 million (£48.6 million) mark three weeks after its release.