The sequel to the 2007 supernatural horror movie, starring Katie Featherston and Kathryn Newton, beat out Ben Affleck's Argo, which had earnings of $16.6 million (£10.4 million).
Animated family film Hotel Transylvania came in third with ticket sales of $13.5 million (£8.4 million), thriller Taken 2 followed close behind at four ($13.4 million/£8.3 million) and Tyler Perry's new movie Alex Cross debuted in fifth ($11.8 million/£8 million).
