Potter breaks its own UK record

The Chamber of Secrets is the only British film to have taken more than £30 million by its second weekend on release.

It has taken about £1 million more than the first Potter film, The Philosopher's Stone, had brought in at the same stage last year.

Hot on its heels is the latest James Bond feature, Die Another Day, which achieved the best opening weekend ever for a 007 title.

The 20th Bond film took £9.1 million in its opening "weekend", which - unusually - ran to five days after it opened on Wednesday rather than Friday.

The previous Bond film, The World Is Not Enough, managed £6.3 million - including previews - on its release in 1999.

Die Another Day also notched up the biggest single day's takings for a Bond film, with £2.7 million handed over on Saturday.

Potter, meanwhile, has gathered a number of records in the UK.

It has the highest takings for one day with £4.3 million and is the only film to break through the £10 million barrier with three days' box office receipts.

UK/Ireland top 10
1. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
2. Die Another Day
3. Anita & Me
4. 28 Days Later
5. Mr Deeds
6. Lilo & Stitch
7. Rabbit-Proof Fence
8. Bowling For Columbine
9. Changing Lanes
10. XXX
Source: Screen International

It also has the highest yet opening weekend, taking £18.9 million including previews.

Robert Mitchell, box office analyst for trade magazine Screen International, which compiles the chart, said while Potter's success was expected, Bond had done better than distributor 20th Century Fox could have hoped.

Clever

"The fact that Bond has been the most successful of the franchise in every territory it has opened is very impressive," he said.

"It clearly shows some clever thinking went into it when it was released.

"Putting it next to Potter is very clever on Fox's behalf, although the films aren't going for quite the same demographic."

Harry Potter remains top in the UK and Ireland, with three-day receipts of £7.3 million, in front of Bond's £6.8 million.

Meera Syal's comedy Anita & Me is new in at number three in the box office charts with receipts of £453,000.

Shooting on the third Potter film, The Prisoner of Azkaban, starts in February ready for release in 2004. Possible locations reportedly include Glencoe in Scotland.