Entertainment

Hidden Figures soars past Rogue One to top US box office

Hidden Figures soars past Rogue One to top US box office
Hidden Figures soars past Rogue One to top US box office Hidden Figures soars past Rogue One to top US box office

Films fans in the US propelled the Nasa drama Hidden Figures past Rogue One: A Star Wars Story at the box office.

Hidden Figures, which tells the true story of three black female mathematicians integral to the early success of the American space programme, sold $22.8 million (£18.7 million) in tickets over the weekend.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Star Wars/PA Images)

That sum was enough to knock Rogue One from the top spot it held for three weeks.

The Star Wars spin-off finished second with $22 million (£18 million).

Hidden Figures opened in limited release over Christmas, but it found its first big chance to reach audiences when it expanded to more than 2,400 locations on Friday.