After a dream opening, Inception has continued its strong run amid strong reviews and a positive buzz. The existential thriller took its tally to $143 million in it second week, and rubbed Salt into the wound of Angelina Jolie's latest spy thriller, which could only muster second place on its debut weekend.

Animated comedy Despicable Me continued to hold up well in third, while Nic Cage's magic seems to have failed him with The Sorcerer's Apprentice just passing the $40 million in its second week.

But it wasn't all bad news for the House of Mouse, with Toy Story 3 continuing to rake it in, taking its overall tally for Woody and Buzz's third instalment to jus shy of $380 million.

New entry Ramona And Beezus, adapted from Beverly Cleary's children's books, bowed in at six, while Adam Sandler's latest comedy was down in seventh.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, The Last Airbender and Predators round out the top ten.