Animated adventure Mr. Peabody and Sherman has beaten high-octane action movie Need For Speed at the US box office this weekend.

Need For Speed, starring Breaking Bad actor Aaron Paul, was largely tipped for pole position, but it entered at number three with takings of $17.8 million.

Mr. Peabody and Sherman 3D cartoon rose to top spot with $21.2 million after making its debut in second place last week.

However, at the global box office, Need For Speed came first.

Mr. Peabody and Sherman finished in third spot in countries outside of the US and Canada.

Need For Speed is based on the popular video game featuring the street-racing character Tobey Marshall.

In North America, 300: Rise of an Empire took second place after a hefty $45.1 million number one opening last week.

Mr. Peabody and Sherman has beaten high-octane action movie Need For Speed at the US box office

But the film failed to match the debut of its predecessor 300, which starred Gerard Butler.

Other new entries included Tyler Perry’s latest offering, The Single Moms Club, at number five, seen as a relatively poor performance for the US hit film-maker and actor.

Wes Anderson’s latest film The Grand Budapest Hotel came in at number eight on the back of screenings in just 66 cinemas.

North American box office Top 5:

1. Mr. Peabody & Sherman – $21.2 million

2. 300: Rise of an Empire – $19.1 million

3. Need For Speed – $17.8 million

4. Non-Stop – $10.6 million

5. The Single Moms Club – $8.3 million

Source: Rentrak

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