High School rules at UK cinemas

The first two High School Musical films premiered on TV

Disney's High School Musical 3: Senior Year was the top film in UK cinemas at the weekend, making more than the rest of the top five films put together.

The third film in the hugely successful franchise made �5.9m between Friday and Sunday, according to figures released by Screen International.

Horror follow-up Saw V made its debut at two with weekend takings of �2.4m.

Last week's top film Burn After Reading fell down to three - one place head of the Ricky Gervais comedy Ghost Town.

The film, which marked the British actor's first leading role in a Hollywood production, took �1.3m in its first three days on release.

High School Musical 3's takings were further swelled by the �2.4m it made last Wednesday and Thursday.

UK BOX OFFICE TOP FIVE 1 High School Musical 3: Senior Year - �5.94m 2 Saw V - �2.43m 3 Burn After Reading - �1.43 4 Ghost Town - �1.34m 5 Eagle Eye - �0.69m Source: Screen International

Its success at the UK and Ireland box office follows its chart-topping performance in the US and Canada, where it took $42m (�25.9m) in its opening weekend.

Another musical, Mamma Mia!, continued to pull in filmgoers, marking its 16th week on release by making another �257,704 between Friday and Sunday.

The Abba-themed film's total UK box office is now almost �65m, making it by far the most lucrative title in this week's chart.

Next week's chart is sure to be dominated by the latest James Bond film Quantum of Solace, which opens in UK cinemas on Friday.

British moviegoers have an advantage over their US counterparts, who will not have the chance to see the 22nd official Bond production until 14 November.

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