US movie goers flock to Couples Retreat

NEW YORK - US cinema goers got some humour therapy to send Couples Retreat to the top of the box office over the weekend.

The comedy about a group of unwilling couples forced into therapy on a tropical island stars Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Kristin Davis and Kristen Bell. It earned $35.3 million in its opening weekend.

Horror-comedy Zombieland earned $15 million at second place, while the flying food in animated family comedy Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs took third place. The 3D film about an inventor who makes hamburgers, pizza and pancakes fall from the sky earned $12 million in its fourth week in cinemas.

Another 3D film aimed at children took fourth place. A revamped double-feature of Toy Story and Toy Story 2 earned $7.7 million.

Independent horror flick Paranormal Activity was a surprise in fifth place and $7.1 million.