Second Helpings Push UK Cinema Takings

The key to success at the UK box office this year so far has been the sequel. The follow up to the ground-breaking children’s animation, Toy Story, imaginatively called Toy Story 2, so far holds the record for the most successful opening weekend of 2000, with a takings total of £7.7m for its February debut (see Cinema Admissions For February Break Box Office Records).

Now another sequel has stolen the number two slot. Mission: Impossible 2 took £4.6m over last weekend following its launch on Friday.

The opening of Mission: Impossible 2 brought an end to the short reign of Chicken Run created by Nick “Wallace and Gromit” Park at number 2. The film opened the previous weekend- 30th June- to takings of £3.8m.

The animation, billed as “Poultry in Motion”, did well to topple Gladiator, another US box office smash which had until then been second only to Toy Story 2 after its £3.5m opening weekend in May (see May Days Prove No Emergency For Cinema Box Offices).

ACNielsen EDI: www.acnielsenedi.com