Film News: ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ Rules Weekend Box Office

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CHICAGO – In a weekend box office that had a little more life than the previous weekend, “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” reigned supreme. The detective thriller starring Robert Downey Jr. made an estimated $40 million in its opening three days.

In a weekend packed full of new releases, “Sherlock Holmes” beat the likes of “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked” and “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” for the weekend crown. The chipmunks and IMF agents still finished at second and third, however, with $23.5 and $13 million, respectively.

In other box office news, “Young Adult” hit the scene with a decent showing after being wide released Friday. The film made $3.7 million over the weekend, which was up 1,076% from its limited release the previous weekend. The total was good enough for seventh place.

“Sherlock Holmes” will try to make it two for two on Christmas weekend, but the film will have its work cut out for it when it matches up against the current releases, as well as the new releases of “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” “The Adventures of Tintin,” “We Bought a Zoo,” and “War Horse.”

1. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows– $40 million – new
2. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-Wrekced– $23.5 million – new
3. Mission: Impossible- Ghost Protocol – $13 million — new
4. New Year’s Eve– $7.4 million – down 43% — $24.8 million total
5. The Sitter– $4.4 million – down 55% — $17.7 million total
6. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 – $4.3 million – down 45% — $266.4 million total
7. Young Adult– $3.7 million – up 1,076% — $4.1 million total
8. Hugo — $3.6 million – down 40% — $39.1 million total
9. Arthur Christmas — $3.6 million – down 45% — $38.5 million total
10. The Muppets– $3.5 million – down 51% — $70.9 million total

By TIM MARTENS Staff Writer HollywoodChicago.com tim@hollywoodchicago.com