LOS ANGELES (AP):

Contraband managed to steal the top slot away from competitors at the weekend box office.

The Universal action drama film starring Mark Wahlberg as a reformed smuggler debuted above expectations at No. 1 with US$24 million, while Disney's 3-D re-release of Beauty and the Beast waltzed into the No. 2 position with US$18.5 million, according to studio estimates yesterday. Both films helped boost Hollywood's business after a sluggish holiday season.

driving force

"It's great to have an uptick in the total box office, and Universal is thrilled that Contraband was the driving force behind that," said Nikki Rocco, head of distribution for the studio.

"I think it's a culmination of a great marketing campaign; audiences love Mark Wahlberg and (producer) Working Title made a terrific movie, particularly for the cost."

Joyful Noise, the Warner Bros' musical comedy starring Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, opened below expectations with US$11.3 million in the No. 4 spot behind Paramount's Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, which earned US$11.5 million in its fifth week, bringing the total haul of the fourth instalment of the Tom Cruise action franchise to US$186.7 million.

The Devil Inside, Paramount's horror film that scared up a massive US$33.7-million debut last weekend, experienced a steep 77 per cent drop in its second weekend, coming in at No. 6 with $7.9 million.

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, War Horse and The Iron Lady were the only Golden Globes contenders that managed to crack the top 10 ahead of Sunday's ceremony. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo fell to the No. 7 spot in its fourth week of release, while War Horse galloped into the No. 9 position. Iron Lady rounded out the list at No. 10.