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Russell Crowe's Noah has debuted in the number one spot at the US box office.



The biblical epic - which also stars Jennifer Connelly, Emma Watson and Ray Winstone - took an estimated $44 million during its opening weekend.

It comfortably beat its predicted $30 million opening, knocking Divergent down to number two with $26.5 million.

Muppets Most Wanted slipped to number three and took $11.4 million. Last week, the sequel opened to a disappointing $16.5 million, which was down from the $29.2 million that its predecessor took during its opening weekend.

Mr Peabody & Sherman dropped 19.7% on last week and fell to fourth place on this week's countdown, taking $9,500,000.

God's Not Dead remained consistent with only a slight decrease to $9,075,000 during its second weekend, dropping one place to complete the top five.

The Grand Budapest Hotel enjoyed a 30% rise with $8,825,000 and rose to number six, while Arnold Schwarzenegger's Sabotage performed poorly, opening to just $5,330,000.

Last year, Schwarzenegger's Escape Plan and The Last Stand both disappointed at the box office, with $25 million and $12 million respectively.

300: Rise of An Empire, Non-Stop and Need For Speed also feature in this week's top ten.

The US weekend box office top ten for March 30:
1. (-) Noah - $44,000,000
2. (1) Divergent - $26,500,000
3. (2) Muppets Most Wanted - $11,373,000
4. (3) Mr Peabody and Sherman - $9,500,000
5. (4) God's Not Dead - $9,075,000
6. (7) The Grand Budapest Hotel - $8,825,000
7. (-) Sabotage - $5,330,000
8. (6) Need For Speed - $4,335,000
9. (5) 300: Rise of An Empire - $4,300,000
10. (8) Non-Stop - $4,087,000