Carl Roberts 
This week on The Official Film Chart, Elvis rocks back up the chart, and the Fantastic Beasts return, but nothing can shoot down Top Gun: Maverick at the top!
Welcome to The Official Film Chart.
LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE IS NOW AVAILABLE TO RENT OR BUY ON DIGITAL!
One of the films that surprised me this year at the cinema was Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (read our review here). The film is a wonderful family movie for everyone. It contains some great tunes, some brilliant comedy, and some great performances from Javier Bardem and vocally from Shawn Mendes. The film is based on a series of children’s books that are loved around the world. The film opened back in October in cinemas but is now available on digital. It is available to rent on PVOD for £15.99 or to buy and keep for £19.99. I recommend the film as I had some great fun with it. And is the perfect family movie to watch over Christmas.
*STOP PRESS!* BLACK ADAM HITTING DIGITAL ON MONDAY!
Yes, you read that right. The DC hit movie Black Adam will be made available this coming Monday to rent or buy on digital (read our review here). The Dwayne Johnson-starring superhero movie hit cinemas at the end of October but will be available to own in time for Christmas digitally. The physical releases will be available in early January. It isn’t confirmed but I strongly suspect that the price point will be £15.99 to rent or £19.99 to buy.
THE OFFICIAL CHART
Thanks to some great deals across the digital retailers last week, we welcome back two favorites into the top ten after they gained a price cut. As such, we say farewell to Nope, and Sonic The Hedgehog 2 this week. But what could those two titles be? What titles are freely moving around the top ten? Hop aboard the chart train as we find out.
MAVERICK MAKES IT EIGHT!
You just knew that the number one title wouldn’t change. And it hasn’t. Tom Cruise and the superb sequel Top Gun: Maverick have made it eight non-consecutive weeks as the nation’s favorite film. In doing so, the film has become the longest-reigning number-one title in chart history. It has defeated the previous record holder, Trolls: World Tour which held the top for seven non-consecutive weeks back in 2020. To top it off, Maverick has outsold this week’s second-place title by more than double. And it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
ELVIS ROCKS BACK UP THE CHART!
The king of rock and roll is back! The Baz Luhrmann biopic and former number one title Elvis rises two places to take the silver medal position. The film is one for every Elvis fan there is. Despite the first hour’s suspect modern musical choices, the film gives the audience some kick-ass recreations of some of the king’s finest Las Vegas performances as well as the 1968 comeback special. Austin Butler will possibly never be bettered as Elvis, his performance really is that good. The film itself makes for a wonderful Christmas gift for the Elvis fan in your life.
A NEW ERA CONTINUES AT NUMBER THREE!
Moving up two places as we run up to Christmas is Downton Abbey: A New Era. The film benefitted from a price cut last week, giving it some much-needed momentum up the chart. The movie is the second big-screen outing for the cast of the critically acclaimed ITV drama series. Hugh Bonneville and Maggie Smith once again lead the cast in the film which has earned high praise from both critics and fans of the show and the first movie. Sadly, one cast member won’t be able to appear in a third film, if there is one. No spoilers but it is an emotional farewell to the character.
ELF SLIDES DOWN THE CHART SHELF!
The traditional festive appearance of the classic Christmas film Elf continues this week. Will Farrell’s family favorite slips down two places as it ends the week in the fourth spot. Co-starring the late James Caan, the film enchants the audience from the start. Telling the story of Buddy, the human Elf, the movie has captured the hearts of the nation ever since it premiered back in 2003. Despite being shown on Sky every year as well as the terrestrial channels, it never fails to appear in the run-up to Christmas.
THE DINOSAURS FALL BACK BUT ARE NOT EXTINCT!
The top five are rounded out by Jurassic World: Dominion this week. The film, the finale of the Jurassic saga falls two places to roar from the fifth position. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard lead the cast in what should have been the crowning glory for the franchise. Despite the return of the original stars, Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum, it just wasn’t to be. Some questionable storyline choices, a lack of any real thrills, and sidelining most of the dinosaurs we’ve come to know and love mean the saga ends with the emotional impact of a wet lettuce leaf.
YOU’RE STILL A MEAN ONE, MR GRINCH!
As we move into the bottom five places, we discover that the animated version of The Grinch has crept up the chart. Featuring the voice of Benedict Cumberbatch as the mean, green creature, the film moves up to the sixth position by four places. The film is enjoyable but suffers from the love the country has for the Jim Carrey live-action version.
THE FANTASTIC BEASTS RETURN!
Thanks to a price cut last week, the third film in the Wizarding World franchise returns to the top ten. A former number one title, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore has risen by four places to once again grace the chart in the seventh position.
BULLET TRAIN RETURNS TO THE CHART STATION!
After leaving us last week, Brad Pitt and Bullet Train have secured a speedy chart return. Once again, a price cut on digital last week has boosted its fortunes as it speeds back into the top ten by three places to arrive at the eighth position station.
MAVERICK AT THE DOUBLE IS IN TROUBLE!
Dropping two places to cool its jets in the ninth position, Tom Cruise’s Top Gun/ Top Gun: Maverick Box Set finds itself running out of fuel at the wrong time.
THE BATMAN RETURNING TO THE CHART SHADOWS!
And finally, the comic book epic that is The Batman looks as if it is about to return to the shadows outside the top ten. The film, the first to star Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader slips two places to end the week in the tenth and final position.
END OF THE LINE!
All change, please! The chart train terminates here for another week. With Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, and Black Adam becoming available just before Christmas, the race is officially on to be the UK’s number one title on Christmas Day. There are bound to be many twists and turns before the winner is crowned. But until next time…
Whatever you decide, whatever you buy, stay safe, be kind, look after each other, and happy viewing!
Anyone wishing to buy any of the titles featured in The Official Film Chart can do so via FindAnyFilm.com. All videos and information have been supplied by Find Any Film and used under authorization.
Carl Roberts is the News Editor for The Future of the Force. Aside from being our horror genre aficionado, he is also passionate about Star Wars, Marvel, DC, and the Indiana Jones movies. Follow him on Twitter where he uses the force frequently!
