Peter Jackson's $200m remake of King Kong has topped the North American box office over the Christmas period, according to Exhibitor Relations.

The film, starring Naomi Watts, Jack Back and Adrien Brody, took $31.4m between Friday and Boxing Day.

One of the year's most anticipated movies, King Kong debuted to a disappointing $66.1m in its first five days.

US box office experts said they had expected the movie to open with about $90m.

The movie has taken an estimated $272.3m at the international box office.

Based on the 1933 classic, King Kong follows a film crew's expedition to the unexplored Skull Island, where they encounter unfriendly locals, dinosaurs and a giant gorilla.

Elsewhere in the US, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe came second with $30.1m.

Jim Carrey comedy Fun With Dick and Jane finished third with an impressive $23.5m.

Comedy Cheaper By The Dozen 2 took $14.8m to come fourth.

The Family Stone, featuring Sex and the City actress Sarah Jessica Parker, was fifth with takings of $10.9m.

Other films in the top ten included The Ringer, Rumor Has It and Wolf Creek.