Kenneth Branagh’s comic book blockbuster Thor firmly landed itself at the number one spot in the U.S box office charts after grossing $66m (£40.3m) in its opening weekend.

Trumping previous heavy-weights Fast Five and Rio, Thor proved itself as an international hit prior to its U.S release, having raked in $83m worldwide.

The Marvel Comics big-screen adaption stars relative newcomer Chris Hemsworth, who’s previous acting gigs include a stint on the Australian soap opera  Home and Away. The 3-D flick also stars Oscar-winning Black Swan actress Natalie Portman and the legendary Anthony Hopkins.

Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Marvel Entertainment Tron kicked off  the summer movie season and is only the first in a line of four superhero movies destined for release this summer.