James Cameron's "Avatar" earned $1.6 billion worldwide

By Siewaun
Reference: Variety

Variety reports that 20th Century Fox's James Cameron's "Avatar" remained king of the box office, posting a worldwide earnings of $1.6 billion through Sunday, which means it will surpass Cameron's "Titanic" earnings of $1.8 billion in two weeks time to become the highest grossing film of all time.

Meanwhile Warner Bros.' "The Book of Eli" and Paramount's "The Lovely Bones" also did strong business as they debuted nationwide over the holiday weekend.

"Avatar" declined a slim 18 percent domestically to an estimated $41.3 million for a earnings of $491.8 million in its fifth frame. Overseas, "Avatar" also dropped just 18 percent to an estimated $125 million for the season, putting the foreign total at $1.11 billion.

Denzel Washington starrer "Book of Eli," financed and produced by Alcon Entertainment and distributed by Warners, opened to an estimated $31.6 million from 3,111 theaters to place No. 2. It's the second straight victory for Alcon after "The Blind Side," which remains on the top 10 chart after nine weeks.

Paramount's Peter Jackson's "The Lovely Bones" grossed an estimated $17.1 million from 2,563 runs through Sunday. Lionsgate's family movie starring Jackie Chan "The Spy Next Door" opened below expectations,which grossed an estimated $9.7 million from 2,924 to place No. 6.

Fox's "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," declined 31% to an estimated $11.5 million for a earnings of $192.6 million in its fourth frame. Overseas, "Squeakquel" grossed $14.3 million for a earnings of $158.5 million and worldwide total of $351.1 million.

"Avatar" will reach the $500 million in 32 days, faster than either "Titanic" or "The Dark Knight," the only films that have jumped $500 million. "Dark Knight" reached it in 45 days; "Titanic," in 98. Overseas, "Avatar" debuted in Italy, its last territory opening, where it grossed $14.5 million, the industry's top opening of all time. It also is doing record business in Japan and China.

"Book of Eli" earned Warners its best January opening ever. The apocalyptic actioner was directed by twins Albert and Allen Hughes, while Joel Silver's Silver Pictures co-produced. "Blind Side" catapulted Alcon into the limelight. That movie posted a earnings of $226.8 million through Sunday.

Paramount is now focusing its awards ambition on Jason Reitman's "Up in Air," which declined just 24% over the weekend to an estimated $5.5 million from 2,107 for an earnings of $62.8 million.

"Up in the Air" began its international debuts over the weekend, grossing a strong $5.7 million from 926 locations in a handful of territories, led by the U.K. with $2.1 million from 325 locations. It opened to $1.6 million from 145 locations in Australia and an impressive $975,000 in Russia. Movie's worldwide total through Sunday was $68.5 million.

Fox debuted family movie "Tooth Fairy" in six territories, where it grossed $5.3 million, led by Russia with $2 million from 352. Film opens at the domestic B.O. Friday.