Benedict Cumberbatch's code-breaking drama The Imitation Game failed to crack the U.K. box office chart on its opening weekend (14-16Nov14) as sci-fi thriller Interstellar hung onto the top spot.

Christopher Nolan's film, starring Matthew MCConaughey as an astronaut on a mission to save Earth, took $6 million (£3.8 million) during its second weekend on release, putting it ahead of Cumberbatch's new World War Ii thriller, which is tipped for success during the Hollywood awards season.

The Imitation Game racked up sales of $4.4 million (£2.7 million) to land in second place, ahead of seasonal comedy Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey? in third with $2.8 million (£1.8 million).

Another potential Oscar contender, Mr. Turner, fell two places to fourth with $1.2 million (£741,748) and Tom Hardy's new drama The Drop, about a lonely bartender who finds himself at the centre of a police investigation, rounded out the top five with $1 million (£637,867).