Holiday Weekend Box Office: November 23 - 27

Courtesy of Box Office Mojo:

1.  The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 - $61.8 million

2.  The Muppets - $41.5 million

3.  Happy Feet Two - $18.3 million

4.  Arthur Christmas - $16.3 million

5.  Hugo - $15.4 million

6.  Jack and Jill - $13.8 million

7.  Immortals - $12.6 million

8.  Puss in Boots - $10.4 million

9.  Tower Heist - $10 million

10.  The Descendants - $9.3 million

It was a clash of the family films this Thanksgiving weekend, with an animated Christmas movie, the return of the Muppets, and a Martin Scorsese 3D film (yes, you read that right) all trying to wrestle the top spot away from the inexplicable phenomenon that is Twilight.  Well, in the end none of them did, as Breaking Dawn Part 1 took the top spot again with $61.8 million over the five-day holiday weekend.  The adaptation of what was easily the worst of Stephanie Meyer's vampire novels also managed to cross the $200 million mark over the weekend, and its worldwide gross now stands at $488 million.  So that marks another win for 'splitting the final book into two parts' idea. 

Luckily, The Muppets were back this weekend, and their long-awaited return was a success, with the relaunch earning a healthy $41.5 million.  That's more than double what their last film, 1999's Muppets From Space earned in its entire theatrical run.  With an "A" Cinemascore from audiences, it should continue to attract the family crowds well into the holiday season.  (now is it too soon to start campaigning to get The Muppet Show back on TV?)

The other family films didn't fare quite as well.  Happy Feet Two continued its mediocre run, with its $44.6 million so far not even close to the $99.3 million the first film made at this same point in it's 2006 run.  Arthur Christmas, the latest from the Aardman Animation group, earned a disappointing $16.3 million, but with great reviews and no other major family films set for release until Alvin & the Chipmunks returns later next month, the jury is still out on this one for now.

Martin Scorsese's Hugo, which had the most unique use of 3D that I've seen since this whole obsession with this format began, had an interesting weekend.  Its $15.4 million may have put it in fifth place - but since it's only playing in 1277 theaters nationwide, that total is pretty damn good.  Like The Muppets and Arthur Christmas, this one also had the benefit of some great reviews, so expect this one to stick around in theaters for awhile as well.

George Clooney's The Descendants expanded its theater count this weekend, keeping it in tenth place with $9.3 million.  So that's continuing to do well.  Other Oscar contenders (actually, I'd probably put Hugo in that category as well) My Week With Marilyn and silent film The Artist did very well in limited release, with Marilyn earning $2 million and The Artist earning $204,878 in just 4 theaters.  Expect those to expand to wider releases as the Oscar race gets closer.

With no major releases scheduled for next weekend, there's a good shot The Muppets could claim first place, which would be great.  As long as it's not Twilight again, I'll be happy.