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Last Updated: Tuesday, 21 June, 2005, 13:23 GMT 14:23 UK
Batman conquers box office in UK
Batman Begins
Eight years on, Christopher Nolan has revitalised the Caped Crusader
Batman Begins has matched its success at the North American box office by making its UK debut at number one.

The movie, starring Christian Bale and Katie Holmes, knocked Mr and Mrs Smith off the top of the charts with takings of �3.57m.

Star Wars, Sin City and The Pacifier all fell back one place to make way for the latest Batman outing.

Other new entries in the Top 15 included Argentinian film Bombon - El Perro and We Don't Live Here Anymore.

UK & IRELAND TOP FIVE
Angelina Jolie in Mr and Mrs Smith
1 Batman Begins
2 Mr and Mrs Smith (above)
3 Star Wars Episode III
4.Sin City
5.The Pacifier
Source: Screen International

Monster-In-Law, starring Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez held steady at six, while Indian film Parineeta climbed one place to number eight, with box office returns worth �82,938.

Another Indian release, Bunty Aur Babli, also remained inside the top 15.

Batman Begins has taken $49.9m (�25.7m) at the box office in the US and Canada.

But the film has failed to halt a declining trend in box-office takings in North America, which are the lowest for 20 years.

Film analysts are partly blaming the downturn on a growing preference for watching films at home on DVD.




SEE ALSO:
In pictures: Batman through the years
16 Jun 05 |  In Pictures
The many faces of Batman
15 Jun 05 |  Film


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