It's elementary: 'Sherlock Holmes' & 'Avatar' in box office battle for Christmas Weekend number one

Warner Bros. is certain to give 20th Century Fox a run for the Christmas Holiday money, bolstering what is already the biggest box office year in film history.

The arrival of "Sherlock Holmes" is proving a testament to Robert Downey, Jr.'s star power. British director Guy Ritchie's brawny reinvention of the iconic detective, which also stars Jude Law and Rachel McAdams, currently leads early estimates for the Friday Night Five with $24.8 million from 3,626 locations. Industry pundits have "Holmes" delivering a smashing $70 million opening for the weekend.

However, clues exist as to why "Avatar" can still hold on to the top spot for a second weekend in a row. James Cameron's acclaimed sci-fi epic is proving a formidable box office presence with $23.5 million earned on Christmas Day. So far, "Avatar" has earned approximately $160.7 million in North America.

Rounding out the Friday Night Five (UPDATED):

"Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" emerged as the top family choice for the weekend, earning $14.5 million from 3,700 theaters. The revitalized franchise opened on Wednesday, which accounts for its $41.3 million to date.

The combination of Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin for "It's Complicated" resulted in a respectable Friday debut of $7.5 million from 2,886. "Up in the Air" took flight in its expanded run to earn fifth place by adding $3.6 million to its overall total of $16.3 million.

However, audiences do not seem to have "Nine" as their prime entertainment number. A favorite of the awards season, it debuted in seventh place with $2.4 million from 1,412 locations.

**Here are the Holiday Weekend Five box office totals as of Christmas Day :

1. Sherlock Holmes (Warner Bros) NEW
Fri $24.8M [3,626 runs], Estimated Wkd $70M

2. Avatar (Fox) Week 2 - Cume $160.7M
Wed $16.4M [3,456 runs], Thurs $11.3M (-31%), Fri $23.5M, Est Wkd $70M 

3. Alvin & Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (Fox) NEW - Cume $41.3M
Wed $19M [3,700 runs], Thurs $8M (-57%), Fri $14.5M, Est Wkd $43M

4. It's Complicated (Universal) NEW
Fri $7.5M [2,886], Est Wkd $23M 

5. Up In The Air (Paramount) Week 4 - Cume $16.3M
Wed $1.7M [1,895], Thurs $1.7M, Fri $3.6M, Est Wkd $14M

6. Blind Side (Alcon/Warner Bros) Week 6 - Cume $176M
Wed $2.2M [2,766 runs], Thurs $1.5M, Fri $3.3M, Est Wkd $14M

7. Nine (The Weinstein Co) Week 2 - Cume $2.4M
Fri $2.05M [1,412], Est Wkd $7M 

8. Princess And The Frog (Disney) Week 5 - Cume $56.6M
Wed $2.4M [3,475 runs], Thurs $1.4M, Fri $2.02M, Est Wkd $7M

9. Did You Hear About The Morgans? (Sony) Week 2 - Cume $12.1M
Wed $1.0M [2,718], Thurs $665K, Fri $1.5M, Est Wkd $5M

10. Invictus (Warner Bros) Week 3 - Cume $20.2M
Wed $800K [2,160], Thurs $705K, Fri $1.3M, Wkd Est $4.2M

For more on this Holiday Friday Night Five, click on Fandango for theater and ticket information.

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