Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol tops UK box office

Tom Cruise's latest film 'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol' - the fourth in the espionage franchise - topped the UK box office over the New Year period.

Digital Spy reports that the film made £8 million to climb to the top of the box office earners, benefitting from its early release at IMAX screens on 21 December before being released nationwide on 26 December.

At the film's premiere on 13 December, Cruise said: "I'm just going to keep going, as long as I can do it. I love making action movies," in reference to his 50th birthday this year.

Cruise will next be seen playing rockstar Stacee Jaxx in the film adaptation of Broadway musical 'Rock of Ages'.

'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', which stars Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, was released on the same day and made £4.3 million placing it second in the box office.

In third place was 'Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows', which generated £2.5 million over the New Year period.