Paddington 2 beats Slumdog Millionaire and Monty Python in UK film hit parade

Paddington and its sequel Paddington 2 have become two of the highest grossing UK independent films in modern history.

Only three other British-made movies – The King’s Speech, The Inbetweeners and Four Weddings & a Funeral – have taken more money at the UK box office.

The first Paddington film was released in 2014 and has notched up £38.9 million in UK cinemas.

Paddington 2, released in 2017, has done even better, taking £42.5 million so far.

Both films have now outperformed such homegrown blockbusters as 2009’s Slumdog Millionaire (£35.4 million) and 1982’s Gandhi (£21.4 million).

The figures, compiled by the British Film Institute, provide a snapshot of the UK film industry’s greatest hits since comparable records began in 1979.

The chart includes cult classics Monty Python’s Life of Brian and Trainspotting, alongside mainstream favourites The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Gosford Park.

The King’s Speech, released in 2011, remains the most successful UK independent film at the UK box office, having taken £49.3 million to date.

The chart also contains some surprises.

Sci-fi romp Flash Gordon appears at number 14, two places above Trainspotting.

And comedy hits A Fish Called Wanda and Shirley Valentine both rank higher than Gandhi.

Here is the top 20 in full. All figures have been adjusted for inflation.

Top 20 highest grossing UK independent films at the UK box office, 1979-2017

1. The King’s Speech (2011): £49.3 million

2. The Inbetweeners Movie (2011): £48.6 million

3. Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994): £42.6 million

4. Paddington 2 (2017): £42.5 million

5. Paddington (2014): £38.9 million

6. Slumdog Millionaire (2009): £35.4 million