Fox’s 3D sequel scores chart-topping $7.2m (£4.7m) debut, while Disney’s Monsters University crosses £15m mark.

The Wolverine has sunk its claws into the top spot at the UK box office, preventing Monsters University from a third straight week at the summit.

Fox’s 3D sequel scored a $7.2m (£4.7m) debut, including $1.4m (£939,117) in previews, to comfortably land the number one berth. Even without the preview boost, The Wolverine would have found itself in first place.

However if the estimate holds up, that result marks the lowest opening of the entire X-Men franchise, failing to top the previous lowest - X-Men’s $7.3m (£4.75m). The previous solo outing for the character, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, achieved a $10.3m (£6.7m) debut in the UK before going on to take $25.1m (£16.3m).

It’s worth noting that X-Men: First Class opened with $8.4m (£5.4m) but that included $3.1m (£2m) in previews.

DISNEY

Despite falling one place to second, Disney’s Monsters University recorded a solid increase in its third weekend, taking $4.8m (£3.1m).

The latest from Pixar Animation Studios is now up to $23.8m (£15.5m) in the UK and with $10.5m (£6.8m) grossed over the past seven days, it’s an auspicious sign that the animated sequel could enjoy a healthy long run during the school holidays.

In Pixar terms, it will shortly overtake both Cars 2 and Cars which ended up at $23.95m (£15.6m) and $25.2m (£16.45m), respectively.

UNIVERSAL

Universal’s Despicable Me 2 grossed $3.2m (£2.1m) to retain third spot, posting a week-on-week increase in its fifth weekend in the process.

The animated sequel is now up to an outstanding $53.4m (£34.7m) and is the ninth biggest animation of all time in the UK, surpassing the likes of Up ($52.8m/£34.3m) and The Lion King ($52.5m/£34.1m).

Next in its sights are Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs ($53.7m/£34.9m) and Monsters Inc ($58.4m/£37.9m).

Meanwhile, Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy closer The World’s End took $2.2m (£1.4m) for a ten-day total of $8.3m (£5.4m).

It will surpass Shaun of the Dead’s $10.3m (£6.69m) UK total but unless it shows significant staying power, it is unlikely to challenge Hot Fuzz’s $32.2m (£20.99m) haul.

EONE

Still with a trick or two up its sleeve, eOne’s Now You See Me enjoyed a minimal drop in its fourth weekend to add $1.4m (£880,000) to its bounty.

The heist thriller is now up to an excellent $13.96m (£9.06m) in the UK and while the busy release schedule might prevent it hitting £10m this coming weekend, it’s now a case of when and not if.

In the process, it’s also become director Louis Leterrier’s second-best UK performer, topping The Incredible Hulk’s $12.8m (£8.3m) and trailing only Clash of the Titans’ $31.1m (£20.2m) haul.

WARNER BROS

Crossing £7m in its third weekend, Warner Bros’ Pacific Rim took a further $1.1m (£731,000) to climb to $10.9m (£7.05m) as it fell out of the top five to chart sixth.

PARAMOUNT

Zombie action-thriller World War Z scared up $258,000 (£167,545) this weekend through Paramount and has taken a $21.9m (£14.2m) sized bite out of the UK box office to date.

METRODOME

Released in 60 sites through Metrodome, Frances Ha recorded a strong UK debut of $229,000 (£149,204) at an average of $3,818 (£2,487).

That result marks director Noah Baumbach’s best-ever UK opening, ahead of Greenberg’s $182,000 (£118,804) bow from 64 sites.

SODA

Wadjda is up to $189,000 (£122,746) in the UK after a non-final $54,000 (£35,283) second weekend through Soda. The film is set to hold in most of its key sites, including its number one site, Curzon Renoir.

DOGWOOF

Critically acclaimed documentary Blackfish grossed $42,000 (£27,055) on its UK debut from 18 screens, including previews, at an average of $2,307 (£1,503).

ARTIFICIAL EYE

Curzon Film World’s Breathe In took a non-final $20,000 (£12,791) in its second weekend for $103,000 (£66,941) to date, while Chelsea Films’ Days of Grace grossed $601 (£391) from its one-screen release.

UPCOMING RELEASES

This week sees saturation releases for Sony’s The Smurfs 2 (opens July 31), eOne’s Red 2 and Warner Bros’ US box office smash The Conjuring.

Fox’s The Heat (opens July 31) and Lionsgate’s Only God Forgives both receive wide releases, while Soda’s Paradise: Hope and StudioCanal’s From Up on Poppy Hill are among the films receiving a limited release.