Samuel L. Jackson's new cop thriller 'Lakeview Terrace' topped the North American box office during its opening weekend with $15.6 million, studio estimates showed.

The film, distributed by Sony's Screen Gems, also stars Patrick Wilson, Kerry Washington and Eva La Rue. It tells the story of a young interracial couple who moves into their dream home but is harassed by their disapproving neighbor (Jackson), who also happens to be a Los Angeles police offcer.

The Coen brothers' crime comedy 'Burn After Reading,' starring megastars George Clooney and Brad Pitt, dropped to No. 2 this weekend with $11.3 million. The Focus Features release, which also stars John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton and Frances McDormand, has earned a total of $36.4 million during its first 10 days.

In third place with $8.3 million was the Lionsgate comedy 'My Best Friend's Girl,' starring Kate Hudson, Dane Cook, Jason Biggs, Alec Baldwin and Lizzy Caplan.