We really did try to resist writing “Inception a dream at the box office”, for while Chris Nolan (and the Warner Bros. marketing team) really did sneak into cinemagoers’ minds to encourage them to see the film, the results are good instead of brain-blowing. Still, it’s an encouraging sign when a largely original, well-crafted film can make $60 million in its first weekend across the pond, at least according to estimates. Hopefully we won’t see a repeat of last weekend’s sudden drop in takings following the actual figures being released on Monday. And with any luck, Inception will enjoy strong legs as audiences go back to catch what they missed and keep unravelling the puzzle-box plot.

Inception’s arrival pushed Despicable Me down to second place, with the ‘toon making a strong showing, dropping just 42% for $32.7 million. And despite opening on a Wednesday to get out ahead of the competition, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice still couldn’t conjure up much interest, debuting with just $17.3 million. Unless it does rather better around the world, it doesn’t look like we have a new franchise on our hands.

Rounding out the top 5 are moneymaking powerhouses Eclipse ($13.5 million and $265 so far) and Toy Story 3 ($11.7 million, with $362 in the US to date).

The rest of the chart shakes out with Grown Ups at sixth place ($10 million), The Last Airbender seventh ($7.4 million), Predators eighth ($6.8 million), Knight & Day ninth ($3.7 million) and The Karate Kid at 10th with $2.2 million.