A £15 million debut is nothing to be sniffed at, and it is the 20 top opening in the UK ever, but only 2005's Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire scored a lower opening of the Potter series.
Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban from 2004 was the biggest Potter opening with £23.8 million on its debut and is the 3rd top opening ever in the UK.
Fantastic Beasts has some big shoes to fill and with the very favourable reviews it could be a long and slow burner, but in less than 4 weeks Star Wars does the same and expands its universe which will have a knock on effect.
Arrival entered the box office at number 1 last week and falls to number 2 this week with £1.5 million which brings its total to £5.7 million after 10 days of play, its should overtake Prisoners as director Denis Villeneuve top film.
Only one other new entry this week, Andre Rieu Christmas With Andre, and event cinema, at number 4, it took just over £1 million.
Bridget Jones's Baby was once again the longest running film on the chart at 10 weeks and the top total grossing move with £47 million.
Historical charts
A year ago - The last Hunger Games film, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2, made its debut at the top knocking off Spectre after a 3 week sting at number 1.
Five years ago - The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 made its debut at the top of the box office knocking off Arthur Christmas.
Ten years ago - Casino Royale made its debut at number 1, it knocked off 2 week champ Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.
Fifteen years ago - The Wizarding Word started its cinematic transition with Harry Potter and The Philosophers Stone making its debut at the top, its knocked The Others down to 2.
Twenty years ago - The First Wives Club took over at the top of the box office, Michael Collins fell to number 2.
Twenty five years ago - making its debut at the top was What About Bob, Dead Again fell to number 3 after 3 weeks at the top.
