American Gangster also topped the US box office earlier this month

The film, starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe, took £1.8 million, keeping fantasy epic Beowulf in second place with £1.5 million.

Fantasy film Stardust rose one place to three and swapped places with animated comedy Ratatouille, which fell to four.

And comedy Good Luck Chuck remained fifth after three weeks on the chart.

UK AND IRELAND BOX OFFICE 1. American Gangster - £1.8m 2. Beowulf - £1.5m 3. Stardust £733,826 4. Ratatouille - £663,628 5. Good Luck Chuck £511,171 Source: Screen International

There were three new entries further down the list.

Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited entered at six, while Freddie Highmore's drama August Rush made its debut at seven.

Horror film Shrooms, set in the Irish woods, took the eighth spot.