DISNEY - EXPLOSIVE OPENING FOR 2012

EXPLOSIVE OPENING FOR 2012

Defying numerous predictions of doom for the $225-million movie, 2012 raked in more than it cost in its opening weekend -- $230.4 million worldwide, of which $65.2 million was earned in the U.S. and Canada, according to final studio figures released Monday. But perhaps even more startling was the performance of the indie film Precious , which came in at No. 3 with $5.9 million, despite playing at only 174 theaters. That amounted to $33,762 per theater, compared with $19,165 per theater for 2012. Another pleasant augury of Christmas-yet-to-come Disney's A Christmas Carol failed to give up the ghost in its second weekend as some analysts had predicted, dropping just 25.8 percent to $22.3 million. However, Pirate Radio, the only other film besides 2012 to open wide over the weekend, was forced to walk the plank, as it took in just $2.9 million, to finish out of the top ten, in 11th place. Two films crossed the $100 million mark, Couples Retreat, which has now grossed $102.05 million, and Paranormal Activity , which has taken in $103.69 million.

17/11/2009