BEN STILLER - TROPIC THUNDER BLAZES TRAIL TO UK BOX OFFICE NO 1

TROPIC THUNDER BLAZES TRAIL TO UK BOX OFFICE NO 1

Tropic Thunder has claimed the number one spot at the UK box office after an impressive first week on release.

The action comedy, starring Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr, took almost £2.5 million, close to three times the box office haul of its nearest rival, to take the top spot.

Tropic Thunder sees Stiller as Tugg Speedman, a clueless movie star shooting a Vietnam biopic which turns dangerously real when the actors are dropped deep into the jungle.

Mamma Mia! was trounced by Tropic Thunder, with just £708,489 in box office grosses, but continues to perform strongly, holding second spot after an amazing 11 weeks on release.

Last week's number one Pineapple Express fell to fourth while Holocaust drama The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas climbed two places to sixth.

To remain at the top of the UK charts for a second week, Tropic Thunder will have to see off the challenge of genuine action films Death Race and Taken, as well as Al Pacino and Robert De Niro appearing together in Righteous Kill.

The top ten films at the UK box office are: (last week's position)

1 Tropic Thunder - £2.48 million (-)
2 Mamma Mia! - £708,489 (2)
3 The Women - £605,390 (4)
4 Pineapple Express - £547,701 (1)
5 The Duchess - £518,865 (5)
6 The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas - £451,446 (8)
7 RocknRolla - £439,848 (3)
8 Disaster Movie - £371,142 (7)
9 Step Brothers - £311,957 (6)
10 The Strangers - £216,437 (9)