Grudge 2 holds top spot in US

The horror sequel The Grudge 2 easily scared up the most business at the weekend box office in North America, while Robin Williams got a fright of his own as his new comedy bombed.

Studio figures showed The Grudge 2 sold about US$22 million ($33.14 million) of tickets during its first three days. Williams' Man of the Year, in which the actor plays a TV comic who runs for president and actually wins, opened at No 3 with US$12.6 million.

Insiders had predicted an opening in the mid-to-high-teen millions for the critically slammed film.

Last weekend's champion, Martin Scorsese's cat-and-mouse gangster saga The Departed, slipped to No 2 with $18.7 million, buoyed by glowing word-of-mouth.