British comedy THREE AND OUT has flopped at the box office, failing to reach the top ten in its first week of release.

The movie follows the story of a train driver - played by Mackenzie Crook - who discovers he will be fired if he has three fatal accidents within a one-month period.

But the film - directed by Jonathan Gershfield - has attracted controversy in the U.K, with drivers of London's Underground trains picketing the premiere, claiming it trivialises suicide.

The movie has taken just ($378 908) GBP189,454 to open at number 12.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall - starring Kristen Bell and Russell Brand - topped the chart, taking $3.5 million (GBP1.75 million) in three days.

Jessica Alba's The Eye is in second place with takings of $1.4 million (GBP704,655), while Kevin Spacey's gambling drama 21 dropped from the top spot to number three.

Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey's treasure-hunting adventure comedy Fool's Gold was in fourth place, down from number two taking ($952,532) GBP476,266.

In Bruges, a Black comedy about two hitmen starring Colin Farrell and Ralph Fiennes, was at five with takings of ($816,096) GBP408,048.