Firefly

Serenity is based on the US TV series Firefly

Sci-fi film Serenity has ended Pride and Prejudice’s four-week reign at the top of the UK film chart.

Serenity, created by Buffy the Vampire Slayer mastermind Joss Whedon, took almost £960,000 in its first weekend.

Pride and Prejudice, starring Keira Knightley, dropped to second place with weekend earnings of £907,000, taking its UK total to £11.4m.

Roman Polanski’s adaptation of Oliver Twist entered at number three and A History of Violence fell to four.

UK BOX OFFICE TOP FIVE
1. Serenity
2. Pride and Prejudice
3. Oliver Twist
4. A History of Violence
5. Kinky Boots

A History of Violence is being tipped by some critics for Oscar success next year.

Directed by David Cronenberg and starring Viggo Mortensen, it tells the story of a family man whose past catches up with him.

British comedy Kinky Boots entered the chart at number five with box office receipts of £623,000.

Other films in the top 10 included Four Brothers, starring Mark Wahlberg, at six, and Goal!, which fell from three to seven. Russian fantasy Night Watch was another new entry at eight.