'Underworld" takes a bite out of the weekend box office

"Underworld Awakening," the fourth film in the vampires versus werewolves franchise proved their still life in the undead series, leading the weekend box office with $25.3 million.

The movie grossed $25.2 in its debut.

The George Lucas-produced "Red Tails," documenting the real-life accomplishments of African American pilots during World War II, came in second with $18.7 million.

Last week's champ, "Contraband," fell to third with $12 million. "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" expanded into wide release in its fifth weekend jumping to fourth place with $10 million.

Rounding out the top five was the 3D re-release of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" with $8.7 million followed by newcomer "Haywire," which debuted in sixth place with $8.4 million.

The complete list of the weekend's top 10 grossing films is:

1. "Underworld Awakening," $25.3 million (New)
2. "Red Tails," $18.7 million (New)
3. "Contraband," $12 million (Total: $45.9 million)
4. "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close," $10 million (Total: $10.7 million)
5. "Beauty and the Beast 3D," $8.7 million (Total: $33.5 million) 
6. "Haywire," $8.4 million (New)
7. "Joyful Noise," $5.9 million (Total: $21.7 million)
8. "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol," $5.5 million (Total: $197.3 million)
9. "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows," $4.5 million (Total: $178.3 million) 
10. "The Iron Lady," $3.6 million (Total: $12.5 million)

'Contraband' steal holiday box office crown

Mark Wahlberg's "Contraband" stole the box office crown, pulling in a better-than-expected $24.5 million over the four-day holiday weekend.

'Contraband' earned $24.5 million.

Disney's 3D re-release of its classic "Beauty and the Beast" performed quite well in second place with $17.7 million.

"Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" continued its solid performance, dropping to third place in its fifth week with $11.7 million and a cumulative total of $186 million.

Rounding out the weekend's new wide releases was the Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah-starring "Joyful Noise," which drew $11.2 million.

"Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" has been another successful December holdover and added $8.6 million over the four-day period.

Last weekend's surprise champ, "The Devil Inside," however, plummeted 76 percent in its second week, collecting only $8 million.

Expanding into a semi-wide release of 800 theaters, "The Iron Lady" just missed the top 10, collecting $5.4 million.

The complete list of the top 10 grossing films is:

1. "Contraband," $24.5 million (New)
2. "Beauty and the Beast 3D," $17.7 million (New)
3. "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol," $11.7 million ($186.9 million)
4. "Joyful Noise," $11.2 million (New)
5. "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows," $8.6 million ($170.2 million) 
6. "The Devil Inside," $8 million ($46.3 million)
7. "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," $6.7 million (Total: $87.8 million)
8. "War Horse," $5.9 million ($66.1 million)
9. "Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked," $5.9 million ($118.8 million) 
10. "We Bought a Zoo," $5.5 million (Total: $64 million)