The Wolf of Wall Street tops UK box office

Martin Scorsese's latest film knocks '12 Years A Slave' off the top spot

Leonardo DiCaprio in 'The Wolf of Wall Street'. The film has topped the UK box office in the first week of release (AP)

Martin Scorsese’s film The Wolf of Wall Street has topped the UK box office in its first week of release.

The Oscar-nominated film, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio as fraudulent banker Jordan Belfort, made £4.6 million over the weekend.

The movie pushed Steve McQueen’s 12 Years A Slave off the top spot. The slavery epic, which stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Michael Fassbender, took £3 million in its second week.

Hotly-tipped Oscar contender American Hustle came in third place, earning £1.5 million in its fifth week of release.

The film, which also centres on a group of fraudsters, has received 10 Oscar nominations, putting it on a par with fellow front-runner Gravity.

Amy Adams, Jennifer Lawrence, Christian Bale and Bradley Cooper have all earned nods for their performances in the film.

The Wolf of Wall Street received five Oscar nominations last week, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.

The film, which is based on the memoirs of self-made millionaire Jordan Belfort, has also earned nods for Leonardo DiCaprio and supporting actor Jonah Hill.

DiCaprio won Best Actor for his performance in the film at the Golden Globes ceremony two weeks ago.

He has yet to win an Oscar despite being nominated three times for Blood Diamond (2006), The Aviator (2004) and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1994).

Cash strapped: Leonardo DiCaprio (centre) stars in Martin Scorsese's raucously enjoyable 'The Wolf of Wall Street'