The new horror-film The Devil Inside, despite blistering critical pans, rose above several holiday holdovers to win the box office crown.

Taking in $34.5 million, the low budget horror film easily powered its way to the top of the box office.  The film exceeded many analysts expectations though how long it will remain on top of the box office remains to be seen.

Devil supplanted Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol from its two-week perch at No. 1. The Tom Cruise sequel took second place with $20.5 million, lifting its total to $170.2 million.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows was third with $14.1 million, followed by David Fincher’s The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo with $11.3 million. The adaptation has done $76.8 million in four weeks.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked spent its third week in the top 5 with $9.5 million. The cartoon has done $111.6 million.