'Earth' sci-fi flick is No. 1

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The science fiction remake "The Day the Earth Stood Still" opened strongly in U.S. theaters this weekend, grabbing the top spot, Box Office Mojo said Sunday.

"The Day the Earth Stood Still," featuring Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Connelly, Kathy Bates and John Cleese, pulled in an estimated $31 million in gate receipts, compared with $13.27 million for "Four Christmases," which had been No. 1 the previous two weeks and has a three-week total of nearly $88 million.

"Twilight" moved from second to third with $8.01 million, followed by "Bolt" at $7.51 million, "Australia" at $4.29 million and "Quantum of Solace" at $3.8 million for a five-week total of $157.7 million.

Another Christmas movie, "Nothing Like the Holidays," about a Puerto Rican family facing what may be their last Christmas together in Chicago, came in at No. 7 with $3.5 million in estimated ticket sales. Rounding out the Top 10 were "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa," $3.25 million; "Milk," Sean Penn's portrayal of slain gay San Francisco city official Harvey Milk, up from 11th last week with $2.64 million; and "Transporter 3," $2.25 million.