Marley still top dog at box office

Twentieth Century Fox’s “Marley & Me” remained best in show at the weekend box office, fetching a winning gross of $24 million from 3,505 runs for a cume of $107 million in only 11 days. The first weekend of 2009 capped an unusually robust Christmas sesh at the box office. Four of the five films opening on Dec. 25 did boffo business over the two-week frame. Disney’s Adam Sandler family comedy “Bedtime Stories” placed No. 2 for the weekend in grossing an estimated $20.3 million from 3,684 locations for a cume of $85.6 million. – From Variety

The box office this weekend brought more of the same, which for Hollywood was a good thing, as the comedy “Marley & Me” and other Christmas films continued strongly. The top five films — and some others down the ladder — kept their positions from last week. “Marley & Me,” from 20th Century Fox, with Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson, was the weekend’s top film, with about $24 million in domestic ticket sales and $106.5 million since it opened on Christmas. – From NY Times

“Marley & Me,” a canine comedy starring Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson, led the North American box office for a second weekend on Sunday, becoming the first Christmas holiday picture to hit $100 million. Twentieth Century Fox’s adaptation of the bestselling John Grogan memoir about a lovable Labrador retriever earned $24.1 million during the three days beginning Friday, taking its 11-day haul to $106.5 million. It marks Aniston’s second consecutive $100 million-plus movie, following 2006’s “The Break-Up,” which finished with $118.7 million. – From Reuters