Lego Movie Top Film In A Poor Year For Takings

The Lego Movie was the top-grossing film in 2014 - a year when box office takings in the UK and Ireland were at their lowest for more than 23 years.

Ticket sales generated more than £1.13bn in 2014, but fell by 2.9% from the year before - the most since the figures began being tracked in 1991.

The Lego Movie pulled in £34.3m, closely followed by The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies, which made £33.5m, and The Inbetweeners 2, which earned £33.3m, according to industry analyst Rentrak.

The Top 10 is dominated by sequels or franchises.

The Lego Movie, with its "Everything is awesome!" catchphrase, was a huge hit with children and adults. A sequel is already slated for release in 2017.

None of the films released last year made more than £40m, whereas four films from 2013 passed that milestone.

Big things are expected for this year with the release of highly anticipated films including the latest James Bond and the Star Wars sequel.

Rentrak UK executive director Lucy Jones suggested more people were choosing to watch films at home, while cinema ticket prices were on the rise.

She added: "However, our view remains that it's a product-driven market. The audience will turn out for the films that grab their attention, but they need a compelling reason to go - whether that's a must-see sequel, big-budget effects or five-star reviews."

Top 10 films in UK and Ireland in 2014:

1. The Lego Movie: £34.3m

2. The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies: £33.5m

3. The Inbetweeners 2: £33.3m

4. Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes: £32.7m

5. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1: £30.1m

6. Guardians Of The Galaxy: £28.5m

7. Paddington: £27.9m

8. X-Men: Days Of Future Past: £27.1m

9. How To Train Your Dragon 2: £25m

10. The Amazing Spider-Man 2: £24m