Controversial director Mel Gibson's latest film Apocalypto has topped the US box office in its opening weekend, taking an estimated $14.2 million.

The film's strong showing caps a remarkable recovery for staunch Catholic Gibson, whose career appeared in jeopardy after his July arrest for drunk driving, when he unleashed an anti-Semitic rant at police.

Shot entirely on location in the Mexican rainforest, the gory Apocalypto depicts a violent pre-Colombian Mayan civilisation on the brink of collapse.

Many critics felt the unusual subject matter, lack of star actors and cast's use of an obscure Mayan language would turn off audiences.

However, despite subtitles throughout and gruellingly violent scenes such as cardiectomies (hearts ripped from victim's chests) and human sacrifices, the film has proved a hit, and proof that Gibson's career has been salvaged.

‘I think people probably are a bit on the surprised side around town that it's number one, said the Walt Disney’s Company’s Chuck Viane, who is handling the film’s distribution. ‘Two months ago, nobody would have bet on that.’

Gibson's last movie, the even more controversial The Passion of the Christ, enjoyed a spectacular opening in 2004, taking $83.8 million on its opening weekend, and eventually making $610 million worldwide.

Jude Law and Cameron Diaz starring romantic comedy The Holiday debuted at number two with $13.5 million, with Leonardo DiCaprio starring thriller Blood Diamond, at number five, taking $8.5 million.