In one of the slowest weekends in a decade, newcomer New Years Eve was able to ring in the top spot at the box office. The film took in $13.7 million, according to estimates from Hollywood.com during its first weekend.
That was well off what many experts predicted the film would make in its opening weekend.
An overall slow weekend has many in Hollywood hoping Robert Downey Jr. reprising his role as the immortal Sherlock Holmes will kick start the box office out of its lethargy.
The raunchy comedy The Sitter met its modest expectations with $10 million and second place.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1 ended its three-week reign at No. 1, dropping to third place with $7.9 million, followed by The Muppets with $7.1 million.
The holiday cartoon Arthur Christmas rounded out the top five with $6.6 million, lifting the film’s gross to $33.5 million since its release three weeks ago. Final figures are due Monday.