The film has hauled in $8.3 million (£5.18 million) since opening last week (ends11Sep15), making it the U.K.'s biggest September release, beating out last year's (14) Paddington - and the biggest ever opening for an 18-rated British movie.

Hardy plays both Kray brothers Ronnie and Reggie, who ruled the London underworld in the 1950s and 1960s.

The film toppled another biopic, Straight Outta Compton, while new release Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials debuts in second place.

Legend was also a big hit in Canada over the weekend (12-13Sep15) after it was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. Hardy's double role in the film has earned him Oscar buzz, alongside Johnny Depp for Black Mass and Leonardo DiCaprio for The Revenant.