Avatar," considered one of the most expensive films ever made

Director James Cameron's new movie "Avatar," considered one of the most expensive films ever made, dominated the UK box office on its first weekend but failed to reach the 10 million-pound mark.

The story of a man sent to infiltrate an alien race made 8.5 million pounds ($13.6 million), according to Screen International on Tuesday, less than last month's vampire sequel "New Moon" which took 11.68 million and well down from the record UK 2009 opening of 19.8 million set by "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."