Clint Eastwood is riding high on the wave of critical success and award success, and celebrates his Oscar nominated film by seeing it top the UK box office.

He now manages the double of having the top film in the UK and America at the same time, and if Oscar night is fruitful it could see American Sniper do some really big business.

This week the film, on it's 3rd week of release, takes £2.5 million giving it a UK total gross of £6.6 million, it's world gross is $252 million to date.

Tak3n falls from the top spot after 2 week in the position, a £1.8 million weekend brings it's total gross to £15,1million.

Ex Machina is the highest new film of the week at 5, a £1.1 million weekend is quite weak but the Alex Garland film has had really good reviews which could help it in future weeks.

Also new this week is: Mortdecai disappointingly at 7 and The Gambler at 8.

Historical charts

A year ago - The Wolf of Wall Street was still holding onto the number 1 spot for another week while Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit was the highest new film at 3.

Five years ago - There was still no moving the might of Avatar at the top and with a fairly static chart Brothers was the highest new film at number 9!

Ten years ago - Closer stayed at the top of the box office and again with little movement on the chart Elektra was the highest new film at number 6.

Fifteen years ago - Sleepy Hollow stayed at the top of the box office with the highest new film coming in at number 3 in the shape of Stigmata.