Kevin James is celebrating after his comedy Paul Blart: Mall Cop topped the US box office.

The King of Queens star plays a bumbling shopping centre security guard who has to save the day when a group of thieves take over the mall. And despite a bashing from the critics it took at impressive $34 million to top the box office.

Last week's number one film - the Clint Eastwood vigilante drama Gran Torino - fell down to number two after earning $22 million. It has now taken nearly $75 million since its release two weeks ago.

The rest of the top five were taken up by brand new entries. Horror remake My Bloody Valentine was in third place with $21,9 million, while Notorious took fourth place. The biopic about slain rapper Notorious B.I.G took $21.5 million.

Canine comedy Hotel For Dogs rounded off the top five.