The release of the wholly made in New Zealand film "Vertical Limits" has been an instant success topping the US weekend box office receipts in grossing $5.01 million. It knocked Dr Suess - the Grinch Who Stole Christmas into second place at $4.3 million gross with Proof of Life third in grossing $3.2 million.

Vertical Limits was made entirely in the Southern Alps region with critics raving about the film and are forecasting more movies will now be made here along with a parallel upsurge in visitor interest to New Zealand.