Marvel Avengers Assemble tops UK box office

By Mark Fordham

Marvel Avengers Assemble is the number one film in the UK and Ireland after taking in £15.78 million in its opening weekend.

The film sees comic book superheroes Iron Man, The Hulk, Thor and Captain America team up to save the world.

Its weekend takings far exceeded those of other superhero box office hits including Spider-Man 3, which had an £11.83 million opening in 2007 and The Dark Knight, which made £11.19 million a year later.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is second in the box office, taking just £1.08 million between Friday and Sunday (April 27th and 29th).

The romantic comedy starring Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt has now amassed £3.1 million since its initial release on April 20th.

Box office hit The Hunger Games stood at third in the rankings, having taken in £0.74 million over the weekend.

Sci-fi action film Battleship has continued to slide, however, after topping the list in its first two weeks.