WEEKEND BOX OFFICE: A Christmas Carol Brings Cheer To Audiences

Jim Carrey's multi-character performance in the animated A Christmas Carol was the winner at the box office this weekend, taking in an estimated $31 million in ticket sales. Michael Jackson's This Is It suffered an almost 40 percent fall-off from last weekend. It took in $14 million for second place. Opening in far fewer theaters, the wacky George Clooney comedy, The Men Who Stare At Goats, brought in a respectable $13.3 million for third place. The Fourth Kind took fourth place with $12.5 million. Paranormal Acitivity, edging ever-closer to that magic $100 million mark, sold another $8.6 million in tickets for fifth place.

The rest of the top 10: The Box opened weak with $7.8 million. Couples Retreat is still hanging on with another $6.4 million; so is Law Abiding Citizen with another $6.1 million. Where the Wild Things Are took in an additional $4.2 million, and Astro Boy is on life support with just $2.6 million.