Sequel movie Downton Abbey: A New Era makes its debut at the top of the UK box office knocking Sonic the Hedgehog down to the runner up spot.

With no other blockbusters released this weekend there is a new entry for Acharya at number 10 with £92,624, then there is a string of new release at the tail end of the top 15, Jana Gana Mana is new at 13 with £53,478, Kaathu Vaakula Rendu Kadhal is new at 14 with £43,570 and finally at number 15 is Runway 34 with £41,243.

UK box office top 5 weekend breakdown 29th April - 1st May 2022

Downton Abbey: A New Era

Director Simon Curtis takes over duties from Michael Engler in the sequel to the aristocratic TV show turned movie series.

Taking £3 Million over the weekend the movie easily takes over from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 which returned to the top last weekend.

The movie has not had as good a debut at its predecessor which was released in September 2019 and hit the top with a £5 Million debut, and went on to stay there for 3 weeks, there is a strong suspicion this will be de-throned this coming weekend.

Popularity for the series has waned over the years since the TV show ended but a £10 - 15 Million run is possible for this sequel.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

The video game adaptation sequel this week became the top grossing movie based on a video game of all time, taking over from its predecessor Sonic the Hedgehog.

This weekend the movie falls from the top to number 2 with a gross of £1.3 Million, an 18% drop, taking its gross to £21 Million after 5 weeks of release.

It is the 5th tp grossing movie of 2022 so far.

The Lost City~2022

The action comedy starring Sandra Bullock Spends a third weekend inside the top 3 as it refuses to move from its position on last weeks chart and takes £1.2 Million on its 3rd weekend of release.

This is a 12% drop over last weekend and gives the movie a UK total gross of £7.4 Million.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore

Falling from 2 down to this weeks 4 is the third movie in the Fantastic Beasts series which takes £1.1 Million on its 4th weekend, a 25% drop.

This gives the movie a total UK gross of £18 Million and it is the 6th top movie of 2022.

The Bad Guys

Remaining at 5 this weekend is the smash hot animated series from Dreamworks Animated Studios which takes £723,039 on its 5th weekend, a small 2% drop over last weekend.

5 weeks on and the movie has taken £10.1 Million and is the 8th top movie of 2022.

This weeks top 10 UK Box Office films

1. Downton Abbey: A New Era - £3,072,762
2. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 - £1,349,144
3. The Lost City - £1,204,261
4. Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore - £1,198,419
5. The Bad Guys - £723,039
6. The Northman - £590,925
7. Operation Mincemeat - £537,119
8. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent - £300,082
9. The Batman - £104,933
10. Acharya - £92,624

See full chart

About Me

Meet Robert: Founder of SaltyPopcorn

SaltyPopcorn is where a lifelong obsession with cinema meets 20 years of elite tech experience. Founded by Robert, this premier UK film blog blends sharp movie criticism with deep digital expertise.

The Cinema Roots

Robert's film journey started early at the historic Palace Cinema in High Wycombe. From working at Ritz Video Film Hire (later Blockbuster Express) for 8 years to spending six years studying Film and Culture at university, his passion for the silver screen is deeply rooted.

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Today, Robert has come full circle—combining tech mastery, SEO, and a love for movies to build the ultimate home movie database for film fans.