Two Towers rules US box office

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers has reigned at the box office, according to North American box office estimates.

The latest installment of the fantasy-adventure saga based on the J.R.R. Tolkien books was expected to rake in $US61.5 million ($A109 million) on the weekend, according to Encino-based Exhibitor Relations.

That would boost the estimated take of the film which opened on Wednesday to $US101.5 million ($A179.84 million).

In second place was the debut of Two Weeks Notice, which is expected to gross $US14.5 million ($A25.69 million) this weekend, followed by Maid in Manhattan $US11 million gross ($A19.49 million), the opening of Gangs of New York $US9.1 million ($A16.12 million) and Drumline $US7.6 million ($A13.47 million).

Rounding out the top 10 were The Wild Thornberry's Movie $US6.1 million ($A10.81 million), The Hot Chick $US4.5 million ($A7.97 million), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets $US4.45 million ($A7.88 million), Star Trek: Nemesis $US4.4 million ($A7.8 million) and Die Another Day $US4 million ($A7.09 million).

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