TheBox office killer

Moviegoers flocked to theaters over the weekend to see the end of the world ... or rather, the global-disaster film about the end of days called "2012," which opened at #1.

The Sony Pictures action flick earned a whopping $65 million over the weekend, and $225 million worldwide. Sony says its the best global total ever for an original movie not based on an established franchise, brand or best-selling novel.

"2012" tells the story of a scramble to save remnants of humanity aboard giant arks, as the earth's crust shifts and flood waters pour over most of the planet. It stars John Cusack, Danny Glover and Chiwetel Ejiofor, and was directed by doomsday specialist Roland Emmerich ("Independence Day," "The Day After Tomorrow").

Roland is that type of filmmaker that casts his net really wide," said Rory Bruer, head of distribution for Sony. "The story is something people could really relate to. It's a story of the survival of humanity."

In at #2 is last weekend's winner, "A Christmas Carol," earning $22.3 million in its second weekend, taking its total to $63.3 million.

"The Men Who Stare at Goats" held steady at #3 with $6.2 million, while "Precious" skyrocketed to #4 with $6.1 million in just 174 theaters, raising its 10-day total to $8.9 million.

Rounding out the top 5 was "Michael Jackon's This Is It", taking in another $5.1 million to bring its total to $68.2 million.

The last of the new releases was Focus Features' rock 'n roll comedy "Pirate Radio," landing at #11 with $2.9 million. However, it was only released to 882 theaters.

That wraps things up this weekend. Next weekend, look out for new releases such as the sports drama starring Sandra Bullock called "The Blind Side," the animated "Planet 51," and the highly anticipated release of "The Twilight Saga: New Moon". Also, "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans", starring Nicolas Cage, Eva Mendes and Xzibit, will be released to limited theaters.

This weekend's top 10 is as follows:

1 - "2012," $65 million.
2 - "Disney's A Christmas Carol," $22.3 million.
3 - "The Men Who Stare at Goats," $6.2 million.
4 - "Precious," $6.1 million.
5 - "Michael Jackson's This Is It," $5.1 million.
6 - "The Fourth Kind," $4.7 million.
7 - "Couples Retreat," $4.3 million.
8 - "Paranormal Activity," $4.2 million.
9 - "Law Abiding Citizen," $3.9 million.
10 - "The Box," $3.2 million.

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The Box office

Christmas isn't that close just yet, but it was X-mas this weekend at the movie box office, when Jim Carrey's new animated "A Christmas Carol" won over movie audiences. The Disney adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale, which features Jim Carrey as Ebenezer Scrooge, earned $31 million dollars in its first weekend, beating out new releases such as George Clooney's "The Men Who Stare at Goats," "The Fourth Kind", and "The Box." Last weekend's #1, "Michael Jackson's This Is It," moved to #2 this weekend with $14 million. Then at #3 was "The Men Who Stare at Goats," a satirical comedy starring George Clooney as a member of an elite US military force that uses mind control as a weapon. It earned $13.3 million. The #4 spot went to "The Fourth Kind," starring Milla Jovovich as a doctor investigating alien abduction. It earned $12.5 million. Falling three spots to #5 was "Paranormal Activity," the low-budget horror movie everybody is talking about. It earned another $8.6 million, bringing its seven-week earning to $97.4 million. Then, the last new release in this weekend's top 10 was "The Box", landing at #6. The horror movie stars Cameron Diaz and James Marsden as a couple who receive a mysterious box. It earned $7.9 million to open. One last new release, "Precious," came in at #13, earning an impressive $1.8 in just 18 theaters. The Lionsgate drama was highly touted on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and as a result set a limited-release record. That wraps things up this weekend. Next weekend, look out for new releases such as the action drama "2012," and the comedy "Pirate Radio." This weekend's top 10 is as follows: 1 - "A Christmas Carol," $31 million 2 - "Michael Jackson's This Is It," $14 million 3 - "The Men Who Stare at Goats," $13.3 million 4 - "The Fourth Kind," $12.5 million 5 - "Paranormal Activity," $8.6 million 6 - "The Box," $7.8 million 7 - "Couples Retreat," $6.4 million 8 - "Law Abiding Citizen," $6.1 million 9 - "Where the Wild Things Are," $4.2 million 10 - "Astro Boy," $2.5 million

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