The adventure sequel "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" was once again the big draw at the weekend box office, taking in an estimated $35.6 million, but it was the little guys that posted the biggest surprises.
The singing, computer-generated critters of "Alvin and the Chipmunks" scrounged up $30 million to place a strong second in the final weekend of the year, scurrying past the Will Smith thriller "I Am Legend," according to Sunday's studio estimates.
" 'Alvin' is the family picture for everyone," said Bert Livingston, 20th Century Fox's senior vice president of distribution. "You can bring your grandmother, your 7-year-old kid or your teenager."
The quirky comedy "Juno," meanwhile, jumped into the top five in its first wide expansion.
The political romp "Charlie Wilson's War" kept defying doubters with a solid second weekend.
And the lacerating drama "There Will Be Blood" hit pay dirt in its limited opening, entering the Oscar race with a bang.
The breadth of titles lifted overall receipts in the U.S. and Canada by 14% from the last weekend of 2006, research firm Media by Numbers said. After a lousy autumn, results have perked up in the last few weeks.
For the year, revenue of $9.59 billion is 4.1% higher than 2006, although the rise is from higher ticket prices. Attendance is essentially flat, according to Media by Numbers' estimates.
Walt Disney Co.'s "National Treasure" sequel, starring Nicolas Cage, dipped 20% from its opening weekend and has hauled in $124 million through 10 days. At this rate it would top its 2004 predecessor, which grossed $173 million domestically and $348 million worldwide.
"Alvin" climbed 6% in its third weekend, bringing its domestic total to about $142 million.
"I Am Legend" racked up an additional $27.5 million to rank No. 3 in its third weekend, Warner Bros. said, raising the film's total to $195 million. It also took in $46.1 million abroad, boosting its global total above $300 million.
Universal Pictures' "Charlie Wilson's War," starring Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and Philip Seymour Hoffman, added $11.8 million in its second weekend -- a 22% surge from its pre-Christmas opening.
Several films this year exploring war, U.S. foreign policy and Middle East tensions had been major box-office disappointments, including "In the Valley of Elah," "Lions for Lambs," "Rendition" and "The Kingdom."
