DHAKA: Epic biblical film ‘Noah’, starring Russell Crowe, has opened at the top of the US box office, taking $44m over the weekend.

The tale of Noah’s ark, directed by Black Swan’s Darren Aronofsky, also stars Jennifer Connolly and Emma Watson.

It follows in the wake of other recent religious films, including God’s Not Dead and Son of God.

Other faith-based movies out this year include Exodus and Heaven is Real.

‘I think these biblical-themed movies are like the next frontier in Hollywood,’ said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for box office tracker Rentrak.

‘Hollywood hadn’t cracked the code on a biblical movie that would have mainstream appeal. Now, I think they’ve figured it out,’.

Second on the box office chart was teen science fiction thriller, ‘Divergent’, starring Shailene Woodley and Kate Winslet, which took $26.6m in its second week of release.

‘Muppets Most Wanted’, also in its second week, took third spot with $11.4m he added, report the BBC.

BDST: 1418 HRS, APR 01, 2014