(Cover) - EN Movies - Sci-fi blockbuster Green Lantern snatched the top spot at the US box office thanks to its $52.6 million debut this weekend.

The Marvel comic book adaptation starring Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds beat director J.J. Abrams' well-received sci-fi movie Super 8 to the number one slot. Super 8 slipped to second place with takings of $21.2 million.

However, despite its stellar start, Green Lantern hasn't managed to beat X-Men: First Class in the money stakes with the latest X-Men movie taking $4 million more when it was released a few weeks ago.

X-Men: First Class is currently sitting in fourth place with $119.9 million.

The other new entry from this weekend, Jim Carrey's family comedy Mr Popper's Penguins, came in at third place with $18.2 million.

Closing the top five is raucous comedy The Hangover Part II, which is still going strong and currently stands at $232.6 million. (C) Cover Media