LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- A 3-D animated movie using images and voices of live actors topped North American box office this weekend, giving a boost to the new movie genre as Hollywood hopes to lure audiences back into theaters with more such productions.

Actor Ray Winstone portrays Beowulf, a six-foot-six strapping blonde Viking, in a scene from the new film 'Beowulf' in this undated publicity photograph. The film, directed by Robert Zemeckis utilizing a hybrid between animation and live action, is based on the Old English poem 'Beowulf' that has long been required reading in high school English classes. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    According to preliminary box office figures released Sunday, Paramount's remake of the ancient English epic poem "Beowulf" took in an estimated 28.1 million dollars over the three-day period in U.S. and Canadian theaters.

    The film, directed by Oscar-winning director Robert Zemeckis, used action-capture technology to render lifelike images of its stars Ray Winstone and Angelina Jolie. About 40 percent of the film's ticket sales in its opening weekend came from special 3-D showings in regular theaters and on Imax screens.

    Movie industry analysts said the film's success at box office indicated that movie-goers have now become acceptive of such effects-heavy productions, which would encourage Hollywood studios to make more animated-live action films in 3-D.

    DreamWorks Animation's "Bee Movie," was in second place with 14.3 million dollars after the family-friendly animated comedy climbed to the top spot at box office last week. The film has grossed 93.9 million dollars in three weeks of release.

    New York crime saga "American Gangster" with Academy Award winners Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe came in third with 13.2 million dollars over the weekend. It has taken in a total of 101million dollars in three weeks.

    "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium," a 20th Century Fox fantasy film about a toy store starring Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman, opened in fifth place with 10 million dollars, following Warner Bros. Christmas comedy "Fred Claus" in fourth with 12 million dollars.

    The 12 top-selling movies took in a combined 94.6 million dollars this weekend, down 29.2 percent from that in the same period a year ago, as ticket sales have been down in eight of the past nine weekends, according to Los Angeles-based box office tracking firm Media By Numbers.

Jolie, Pitt attend UK premiere of "Beowulf"

U.S. actress Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt pose at the premiere of "Beowulf" in London Nov. 11, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

    BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie attended the British premier of her movie "Beowulf" Sunday with her boyfriend Brad Pitt.

    "It's so, so nice to see all these fans here, it always is," Jolie said as hundreds of people lined up outside the brightly lit runway to the theatre. "I haven't been here for a little bit. I lived here for a few years, and I do plan to come back more often." Full story