Thor movie hammers US box office competition

Thor star Hemsworth previously acted in soap opera Home and Away

Superhero movie Thor has repeated its UK success in the US and Canada, making an estimated $66m (£40.3m) in its first weekend of release.

The comic book blockbuster raked in more than twice as much as its nearest competition - action sequel Fast and Furious 5 - between Friday and Sunday.

Kenneth Branagh's film opened last week in the UK and Ireland, taking £5.4m in its first six days at cinemas.

Australian actor Chris Hemsworth stars as Marvel Comics' Norse god of thunder.

Natalie Portman, Idris Elba and Sir Anthony Hopkins also appear in the 3D release.

Thor was already number one at box offices around the world prior to its US release, having made $83m (£50.6m) from 56 markets last weekend.

Strong performances in countries including France, Germany and South Korea saw it record the highest opening weekend of the year so far at the global box office.

Two wedding-themed films followed Thor and Fast and Furious 5 in this weekend's US box office chart, both of which served as a counterweight to their action content.

Jumping the Broom, starring Angela Bassett and Loretta Devine as mothers who clash ahead of their children's marriage, made $13.7 million.

Romantic comedy Something Borrowed made an estimated $13.2 million, landing it fourth place in this week's countdown.

Elsewhere audiences failed to appreciate Jodie Foster's film The Beaver, in which Mel Gibson plays a depressed man who communicates through a hand puppet.

The comic drama, on limited release ahead of a nationwide roll-out on 20 May, made $104,000 (£63,483) from 22 cinemas.