eOne’s sequel scares up strong $4.6m (£2.9m) from its 414 sites to land the number one spot; StudioCanal’s Rush takes $3.3m (£2.1m) from the distributor’s widest-ever UK release of 456 sites.

In a busy week for new releases, Insidious: Chapter 2 has taken pole position ahead of Rush and White House Down.

eOne’s horror sequel scared up a strong $4.6m (£2.9m) from its 414 sites for the week’s biggest average at $11,068 (£6,950). Almost half of its debut came from a superb showing on Friday, where it grossed $2.3m (£1.4m).

The result means that The Conjuring’s reign as director James Wan’s biggest UK opening was short-lived, with Insidious: Chapter 2 surpassing its $3.5m (£2.2m) debut from 376 sites.

Chapter 2 also took around double its predecessor’s $2.3m (£1.4m) UK bow from 325 sites. Insidious went on to take $11.3m (£7.1m) and the sequel looks certain to challenge that.

eOne also released animation Justin and the Knights of Valour in 435 sites, resulting in a solid bow of $1.3m (£831,011) to see it round off this week’s top five in fifth.

Also for eOne, Riddick fell sharply in its second weekend, slicing its way to a further $608,000 (£381,994) for $3.7m (£2.4m) to date. The Chronicles of Riddick reached $4.8m (£3m) in the UK and Riddick should manage to match it, despite the drop.

STUDIOCANAL

Receiving StudioCanal’s widest-ever UK release at 456 sites, Rush might have had to settle for second but got off to a good start regardless.

Ron Howard’s biopic of James Hunt and Niki Lauda’s F1 rivalry sped to a $3.3m (£2.1m) debut at a sturdy average of $7,283 (£4,594). It’s likely to enjoy healthy returns midweek too, with an older-skewing audience.

The debut compares favourably with Howard’s last dip into real life, Frost/Nixon, which started its UK run with $942,000 (£591,411) from 307 sites, and is also ahead of Howard’s last UK outing, The Dilemma, which recorded a $1.8m (£1.1m) debut from 419 sites.

Rush narrowly missed out being the distributor’s biggest opening of 2013 which still belongs to Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa’s $3.37m (£2.18m) debut.

However, that included $1.2m (£741,254) in previews so Rush did achieve StudioCanal’s biggest three-day opening of the year, ahead of I Give It A Year’s $2.4m (£1.5m).

SONY

Completing a brand new top three in this week’s chart was Sony’s White House Down, which shot its way to a $1.9m (£1.2m) debut from its 424 sites.

That marks one of the lowest openings for a Roland Emmerich film in the UK, topping only Anonymous ($292,000/£183,194 from 214), Universal Soldier ($455,000/£285,764 from 43) and The Patriot ($1.6m/£1m from 361).

It is also lower than 2013’s other President in Peril outing Olympus Has Fallen which recorded a $3.4m (£2.2m) UK bow, including $992,000 (£651,675) in previews, from its 453 sites.

One Direction: This is Us fell a respectable 42% in its third weekend, grossing a further $1m (£653,000) through Sony for $10.8m (£6.8m), now £3m away from Michael Jackson’s This is It’s $15.3m (£9.8m) UK result.

An extended version of Morgan Spurlock’s concert documentary, featuring new footage and four more songs, will be released in UK cinemas this Friday [Sept 20].

Released in 94 sites through Sony, acclaimed comedy In A World… achieved a $58,000 (£35,000) debut at a soft average of $593 (£378).

Also for Sony, Elysium added $601,000 (£377,000) for $13.2m (£8.3m) to date, while Grown Ups 2 and The Smurfs 2 stand at $13.2m (£8.3m) and $18.3m (£11.5m), respectively.

UNIVERSAL

Last week’s champion About Time fell to fourth in its second weekend, although it enjoyed a slim drop of just 21% discounting its opening previews.

Universal’s romantic comedy - and allegedly Richard Curtis’ directorial swansong - grossed $1.74m (£1.09m) from its 549 sites. It is now up to $6.2m (£3.89m) so far in the UK, in its quest to top The Boat That Rocked’s $9.8m (£6.23m) result to avoid becoming Curtis’ lowest UK grosser.

Remarkably, Universal’s smash hit Despicable Me 2 recorded a 19% boost in its 12th weekend of release as it extended its lead as 2013’s strongest performer.

The animated sequel took a further $604,000 (£379,000) for a mighty running total of $73m (£45.81m) to date.

WARNER BROS

Dropping out of the top five in its fourth week, We’re the Millers recorded a $949,000 (£595,000) weekend. Warner Bros’ comedy is now up to $11.1m (£6.98m) in the UK as it attempts to overhaul Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story’s $15.6m (£10.03m).

Also for Warner Bros, The Conjuring has taken $16.4m (£10.3m) to date after adding $83,000 (£52,000).

Released in seven sites through Warner Bros, baseball drama 42 managed a debut of $6,000 (£3,735).

DISNEY

Now doing the majority of its business on Sat-Sun, Disney’s Planes added $722,000 (£453,356) in its fifth weekend. The Cars spin-off has now flown to a respectable $11.9m (£7.5m) in the UK.

Also for Disney, Monsters University is up to $46.8m (£29.3m) in the UK with a $339,000 (£212,937) weekend. The prequel is now on the cusp of overtaking A Bug’s Life’s $46.9m (£29.4m) in terms of Pixar outings.

FOX

Fantasy sequel Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters sailed to an additional $195,000 (£122,555) this weekend through Fox for $11m (£6.9m) after six weeks in play.

Meanwhile, Fox’s The Way, Way Back fell 43% in its third weekend, grossing $144,000 (£90,540) to stand at $2m (£1.3m).

PARAMOUNT

Now in its third week of release, Paramount’s Pain & Gain pumped a further $189,000 (£118,448) for $3.7m (£2.3m) to date.

ARTIFICIAL EYE

Expanding to 42 sites through Artificial Eye, The Great Beauty enjoyed a slim drop as a result, taking a non-final $178,000 (£111,777) for $497,000 (£311,781) after two weeks in play.

LIONSGATE

Acclaimed horror You’re Next is up to $1.9m (£1.2m) in the UK after three weeks in play, following a $38,000 (£24,000) weekend through Lionsgate.

UPCOMING RELEASES

This week sees saturation releases for Universal’s R.I.P.D. and eOne’s Diana, while Warner Bros’ The Call receives a wide release.

Dogwoof’s InRealLife, Sony’s Cold Comes the Night and Independent’s Metro Manila are among the films receiving a limited release.