Thriller movie tops $22.4m in first weekend

Thriller "Contagion," about a lethal virus that goes global, topped the US box office in its opening weekend with a $22.4 million take, industry figures showed Monday.

The chilling flick, from acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh, who brought audiences "Traffic" and a remake of "Ocean's Eleven," follows a team of doctors attempting to track and contain a deadly pandemic, with an all-star cast including Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kate Winslet.

In the second spot was "The Help," - the top grossing film from the past few weeks.

AFP