Rush Hour 2 straight into the fast lane at the US box office

Traffic was heavy for Rush Hour 2, the Jackie Chan-Chris Tucker action-comedy that debuted as the top weekend movie with $US67.4 ($160) million at the US box office.

The buddy-cop sequel had the biggest comedy debut ever and the third-best non-holiday opening on record, according to studio estimates. The top non-holiday debut came the previous weekend when Planet of the Apes grossed $US68.5 million.

Two other movies opened in the top 10. The Princess Diaries, starring Julie Andrews, was No. 3 with $US22.9 million. Original Sin, starring Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie, was No. 6 with $US6.4 million.

The top 10 movies were: 1 Rush Hour 2, 2 Planet of the Apes, 3 The Princess Diaries, 4 Jurassic Park III, 5 America's Sweethearts, 6 Original Sin, 7 Legally Blonde, 8 The Score, 9 Dr Dolittle 2, 10 Cats & Dogs.