As if there was any doubt about what would be at the top of the UK box office charts this week, and without any hassle The Hunger Games: Mockingly Part 1 has a terrific first week of release.

Taking over £12 million on it's debut weekend this is the third in The Hunger Games series, which has grown in strength as each film has been released.

The previous film in the series took almost exactly the same on it's opening weekend, but the first film, which was introducing a new franchise to cinema, took far less at just under £5 million.

Last weeks top film, Interstellar, falls to third place this week with The Imitation Game staying put in second place.

Historical Charts

A year ago - The Hunger Games: Catching Fire took over at the top of the chart knocking Gravity down to second place.

Five years ago - Another franchise, The Twilight Saga had it's second film, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, enter at the top of the box office knocking 2012 down to second place.

Ten years ago - Bridget Jones The Edge of Reason kept it's hold on the top of the box office with the highest new film entering at 3, After The Sunset directed by Brett Ratner and starring Pierce Brosnan.

Fifteen years ago - The Sixth Sense was still enjoying it's run at the top of the box office with Harrison Ford starring in the Sydney Pollack directed film Random Hearts being the highest new film right down at seven.