New at the top of the UK video chart this week is the Clint Eastwood directed American Sniper starring Bradley Cooper.

The film was release on 16th January 2015 at Uk cinemas in a flurry of Oscar hype at number 2 to the tune of £2.5 million, but as the hype got greater the film hit the top spot the following week.

In a run lasting 7 weeks the film grossed a very reasonable £13.4 million at the UK box office, in America it took and incredible $350 million making it one of Eastwoods biggest films.

In the UK the film is the 329th highest grossing of all time and worldwide with a gross of $539 million it's the 121st highest grossing.

There was a whole flurry of new releases this week, with almost the whole top 5 changing, last weeks top film, Big Hero 6, fell to number 3 this week.

Other new film then are: Shaun The Sheep Movie at number 2, Ex Machina at number 4, Whiplash at number 5, Forbidden Kingdom at number 14 and The Gambler down at number 18.

Clint Eastwood is riding high on the wave of critical success and award success, and celebrates his Oscar nominated film by seeing it top the UK box office.

He now manages the double of having the top film in the UK and America at the same time, and if Oscar night is fruitful it could see American Sniper do some really big business.

This week the film, on it's 3rd week of release, takes £2.5 million giving it a UK total gross of £6.6 million, it's world gross is $252 million to date.

Tak3n falls from the top spot after 2 week in the position, a £1.8 million weekend brings it's total gross to £15,1million.

Ex Machina is the highest new film of the week at 5, a £1.1 million weekend is quite weak but the Alex Garland film has had really good reviews which could help it in future weeks.

Also new this week is: Mortdecai disappointingly at 7 and The Gambler at 8.

Historical charts

A year ago - The Wolf of Wall Street was still holding onto the number 1 spot for another week while Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit was the highest new film at 3.

Five years ago - There was still no moving the might of Avatar at the top and with a fairly static chart Brothers was the highest new film at number 9!

Ten years ago - Closer stayed at the top of the box office and again with little movement on the chart Elektra was the highest new film at number 6.

Fifteen years ago - Sleepy Hollow stayed at the top of the box office with the highest new film coming in at number 3 in the shape of Stigmata.