Monster movie makes millions

The Lost World has soared straight to the top of the UK box office chart after a hugely successful opening - but it has not beaten last summer's epic Independence Day.

Despite being hampered by a parental guidance certificate, which states some scenes may be unsuitable for children under eight, Steven Spielberg's pounds 48m sequel to Jurassic Park scooped a pounds 5.66m opening weekend gross. Independence Day, which also starred Jeff Goldblum, took about pounds 7m in its first three days on release last August. The Lost World sold out many cinemas across Britain and has snapped up 73 per cent of business for the weekend. Jurassic Park opened in 1993 with a gross of pounds 4.87m and went on to earn pounds 562m worldwide.