The big screen adaptation of the beloved children's book, featuring the voices of Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Ed Helms and Danny DeVito, now holds the biggest debut of the year (12) so far, beating the $41.2 million (£25.75 million) romantic drama The Vow garnered last month (Feb12).

Comedy Project X opened in second place on the new box office chart with $20.8 million (£13 million), while Act of Valor, featuring real U.S. Navy Seals, slipped from first to third place with a $13.7 million (£8.56 million) take in its second week on release.

The Artist's Oscars haul also boosted profits for the silent, black and white film - it climbed back into the top 10 at 10 with $3.9 million (£2.44 million).