Taking the weekend numbers in to account, the film narrowly won out over last week’s No. 1 film "The Cat in the Hat", which brought in $24.7 million on Friday and Sat for a 10-day total to $77 million. 

Family films were indeed the clear winners this holiday weekend. Will Ferrell's "Elf" brought in another $22.2 million. 

From there it was a steep drop off for the more adult orientated films. “Gothika,” came in at No. 4 with $12.71 million. “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World," rounded out the top 5 with $12.7 million. 

Billy Bob Thornton's foul-mouthed and drunken "Bad Santa," came in 6th with $12.5 million. 

Even Ron Howard couldn’t win in the family dominated market. His new thriller "The Missing," starring Cate Blanchett and Tommy Lee Jones fizzled to 7th place finish with $11.7 million weekend gross. 

The action adventure film "Timeline," failed to bring in the big crowds and only managed to land in 8th place with $8.5 million. 

Top 10 with estimated earnings (Fri-Sat) 

1) The Haunted Mansion - $25.3 million.

2) Dr. Seuss' the Cat in the Hat - $24.7 million.

3) Elf - $22.2 million.

4) Gothika - $12.71 million.

5) Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World - $12.7 million.

6) Bad Santa - $12.5 million.

7) The Missing - $11.7 million.

8) Timeline - $8.5 million.

9) Love Actually - $7.9 million.

10) Brother Bear - $4.9 million.
 

Rant or Rave? Your turn, post you comments and thoughts on this news item. But hey keep it clean, we wouldn't want to have to wash your mouth out with Old Spice.

Fan Speak:

 

...end