Staying put this week, Tak3n makes it 2 weeks at the top of the UK box office despite a challenge from the new Clint Eastwood film.

Liam Neeson has become the action hero of the moment with Taken 3 taking another £3.3 million from the weekend which brings it's total to £12.2 million after 10 days.

The threequel is keeping well in line with the previous film in the series but it already double that of the first films full UK cinema run.

Debuting strong at number 2 is American Sniper which enters the Uk box office with a first weekend gross of £2.5 million, Oscar nomination are boosting it's potential and it could end up one of Eastwood's highest grossing films.

The theory of Everything, Into the Woods and Paddington wound out the top five.

Other new films this week are: Whiplash at 7, Wild at 9, The Merry Widow Met Opera 2015 at 10 and Testament of Youth at 11.

Historical charts

A year ago - The Wolf of Wall Street was the first new number 1 film of the year debuting in the top spot and knocking 12 Years A Slave into second place.

Five years ago - Avatar stayed on top for yet another week and the highest new film was Up In The Air right down at 5.

Ten years ago - Highest new film and new number 1 for the week was Closer which knocked White Noise from the top to number 3.

Fifteen years ago - Sleepy Hollow kept it's hold on the top of the box office where it entered the previous week, Angelas Ashes was the highest new film of the week at 2.

Like it's predecessor Taken 3, or Tak3n as it's known, debuts at the top of the box office on it's debut week of release.

Tak3n's debut in the UK makes an excellent £6.7 on it's debut weekend, it's predecessor, Taken 2, took £7.3 million on it's debut while Taken, a sleeper hit, took £1.1 million.

Tak3n knocks last week top film, The theory of Everything down to number 3 this week, the Stephen Hawkins bio-pic has now taken nearly £8 million.

Entering at 2 is Disney's latest film Into The Woods while The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies and Paddington finish of the top 5.

Historical box office

A year ago - 12 Years A Slave was the debut top film of the week among major Oscar buzz, it knocked American Hustle down to number 2.

Five years ago - Avatar spent yet another week at the top of the box office while the top new film of the week was Daybreakers at number 3.

Ten years ago - White Noise made it's debut at the top of the box office knocking The Incredibles from the top to number 4.

Fifteen years ago - Tim Burtons Sleepy Hollow made it's debut at the top of the box office, it finally knocked long running number 1 film The World Is Not Enough off the top spot, it was at number 2.

Frozen surrenders the top again this week for the Oscar winning drama 12 Years a Slave.

Directed by Steve McQueen 12 Years a Slave follows the plight of a free black man sold into slavery in America's 1840's. Relased in the UK on 10th January this year it entered at the top of the box office and had a 10 week stay on the chart.

It grossed nearly £20 million on it's box office run and is the 174th highest grossing UK film.

Also new selling well last week in the UK are - 47 Ronin at 2 - Paranormal Activity The Marked Ones at 9 - Ninja Shadow of a Tear at 15 -

American Hustle gives way to the big award contender 12 Years A Slave at the top of the UK box office this week.

Winning big at the weekends Golden Globe awards will help 12 Years a Slave retain the top spot next week, but this week it's the highest new film at the top with £2.5 million. American Hustle slips to two with £2 million.

This time last year Les Miserable took over at the top of the box office with The Hobbit sliding right down to number 4.

Five years ago comedy film Role Models hit the top in it's first week of release with Yes Man sliding to 5. A big week of releases with Slumdog Millionaire at 2, Bride Wars at 3 and Defiance at 4.

Ten years ago The Return of the King was still holding out at the top with Tom Cruise in the Last Samurai highest new film at 2.

Ten years ago Star Trek Insurrection was still at the top with The Siege entering at 3.