“Carol” Takes Box Office Crown

While Christmas is still a long way off, movie going audiences were looking for a little early holiday cheer this weekend according to the box office results.

The new 3-D version of Charles Dickens’ classic Christmas story, “A Christmas Carol” took the top slot at the box office. The film, which uses 3-D motion capture animation, took in $31 million over the weekend. The total was lower than Hollywood predictions but still twice that of all its other competitors.

Whether or not the movie will have staying power and be able to make back its enormous budget (some estimate it cost upwards of $200 million) remains to be seen.

In second place was the Michael Jackson concert film, “This Is It” with $14 million. Third place was held by the new comedy, “Men Who Stare at Goats,” taking in $13.3 million.

Fourth place went to the new thriller “The Fourth Kind” and fifth place was held by “Paranormal Activity.”

The new Richard Kelly film, “The Box” opened in sixth place.