The drama, starring Matt Damon as an astronaut fighting for survival on Mars, has become a big hit on both sides of the Atlantic.

It took $55 million (£34 million) in the U.S. on its opening weekend, and $10.4 million (£6.5 million) in the U.K.

Tom Hardy's gangster drama Legend remained in second place on the U.K. chart for a third week running with $1.8 million (£1.1 million).

The previous frontrunner Everest dropped to third with takings of $1.4 million (£850,000).

Anne Hathaway and Robert De Niro's workplace comedy The Intern debuted at four with $1.21 million (£759,000).

And a new version of William Shakespeare's MACbeth, starring Michael Fassbender, rounded out the top five with $1.19 million (£747,000).