Super debut for 'Superman Returns' in London

Bryan Singer's Superman flick opens at number one, while 'Atomised' also pulls in the crowds.

Jul 19 2006

It was up, up and away for 'Superman Returns' at the London box office over the weekend, with the latest addition to the franchise rocketing in at number one.

However, in spite of great reviews and lashings of hype, the film only just defeated 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest' to the top spot, with a mere £60,000 dividing the two films.

Nevertheless, in the face of such big budget blockbuster dominance, former Time Out films of the week 'Heading South' and 'The Wind that Shakes the Barley' continue to do good business, dropping to four and five respectively.

Further down the chart 'Atomised' is a surprise new entry at number six, while the overrated 'Thank You For Smoking' drops to seven and the frankly rubbish 'Da Vinci Code' drops to nine.

Next week, 'Stormbreaker' and 'The Break-Up' will give Superman and Captain Jack a run for their money, while Australian drama 'Little Fish' should also do well.