Well, it was bound to happen eventually. After seven full weeks at #1—and a total domestic gross of $630 million and counting—James Cameron’s Avatar finally slipped into second place, having run smack into Channing Tatum’s rock-hard abs. Despite mostly negative reviews, the Nicholas Sparks adaptation Dear John, starring Tatum and Amanda Seyfried, proved strong counter-programming on Super Bowl weekend, collecting $32 million for first. The big question: Will it have the legs to hold onto #1 for the next two months? (Answer: No, it will drop by 60% and get crushed by The Wolfman and Valentine’s Day this weekend.) The manic John Travolta actioner From Paris With Love didn’t fare nearly so well, opening in a distant third with $8.1 million in receipts. It’ll be airing in the middle of the night on Showtime a year from now, so you can catch it then.
In limited release, two highly regarded crime films, the five-hour “roadshow” version of Red Riding Trilogy and the Danish noir Terribly Happy, enjoyed solid bows on one screen apiece, drawing $15,500 and $13,000 respectively.
For more detailed numbers, visit Box Office Mojo.