Missing some magic

“The Golden Compass” opened in the No. 1 spot but fell short of lofty expectations, pacing another sluggish weekend at the box office. Outside the top 10, two films considered major contenders for year-end awards opened powerfully in limited release. The comedy “Juno” averaged $60,000 per theater at seven engagements in New York and Los Angeles, while the British romance “Atonement” averaged $25,000 per theater in 32 engagements across the country. Preliminary results (in millions) in the U.S. and Canada, based on studio projections:

Movie (studio): 1. The Golden Compass (New Line)

3-day gross (millions): $26.1

Total (millions): $26.1

Weeks: 1

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Movie (studio): 2. Enchanted (Walt Disney)

3-day gross (millions): $10.7

Total (millions): $83.9

Weeks: 3

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Movie (studio): 3. This Christmas (Sony)

3-day gross (millions): $5.0

Total (millions): $42.8

Weeks: 3

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Movie (studio): 4. Fred Claus (Warner Bros.)

3-day gross (millions): $4.7

Total (millions): $65.6

Weeks: 5

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Movie (studio): 5. Beowulf (Paramount)

3-day gross (millions): $4.4

Total (millions): $76.0

Weeks: 4

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Movie (studio): 6. No Country for Old Men (Miramax)

3-day gross (millions): $4.2

Total (millions): $28.9

Weeks: 5

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Movie (studio): 7. August Rush (Warner Bros.)

3-day gross (millions): $3.5

Total (millions): $25.1

Weeks: 3

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Movie (studio): 8. Hitman (20th Century Fox)

3-day gross (millions): $3.5

Total (millions): $35.8

Weeks: 3

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Movie (studio): 9. Awake (Weinstein/MGM)

3-day gross (millions): $3.3

Total (millions): $10.7

Weeks: 2

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Movie (studio): 10. Bee Movie (DreamWorks Animation/Paramount)

3-day gross (millions): $2.6

Total (millions): $121.0

Weeks: 6

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Industry totals

3-day gross (in millions): $85.0

Change from 2006: -11.7%

Year-to-date gross (in billions): $8.79

Change from 2006: +4.5%

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Note: A movie may be shown on more than one screen at each venue.

Source: Media by Numbers

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Los Angeles Times