Four Christmases rallies to beat Twilight, Bolt

The holiday-themed comedy Four Christmases started out somewhat weak against box office holdovers Twilight and Bolt, but by the end of the weekend, it was the newcomer at the top of the holiday heap. Four Christmases, which cost $80 million to make, dragged in $31.6 million over the three-day weekend and $46.7 million over the five-day weekend including Thanksgiving.

By comparison, Twilight faded two third place, losing ground not only to Four Christmases, but also to Bolt. Twilight grossed $26.3 million over the three-day weekend, compared to $26.5 million for Bolt, as part of a photo-finish for second place. Even so, Twilight stands out as the big winner, grossing $119 million over its first 10 days of release, against a $37 million production budget.

The money-making vampire romance is still hot enough to make mechanics forget about coilovers and contemplate taking their girlfriends out for a movie and a meal.

James Bond added $19.5 million to its US take, good enough to secure fourth place, but Australia managed only fifth place with $14.8 million, with Madagascar 2 breathing down its neck with $14.5 million. Transporter 3 debuted in seventh place with a $12.3 million bow, and nothing else came close.