Charlie and the Chocolate Factory proved to be a golden ticket for British film fans. The adaptation of Roald Dahl's children's classic shot to the top of the UK box office in its opening weekend, cashing in a sweet £8m.

Success here has helped Tim Burton's fantasy become the most popular film outside the US this week. It is also number one in Mexico, Brazil and France, with total earnings of $20m (£11m) in 15 countries.

Back in Blighty, Willy Wonka just edged out Madagascar, the story of four animals who escape from New York's Zoo. So far, the animated feature has earned £16.4m, since its release three weeks ago.

Charlie's success meant a tumble for the superhero film Fantastic Four, which dropped from last week's top spot to third place. At four is the Owen Wilson comedy Wedding Crashers.

Rounding off the top five was Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds, which has so far raked in £27.6m.