Below are the top 12 weekend final numbers from the North American box office:

1. Avatar - $42,785,612
2. The Book Of Eli - $32,789,494
3. The Lovely Bones - $17,005,133
4. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel - $11,619,949
5. Sherlock Holmes - $9,889,154
6. The Spy Next Door - $9,726,056
7. It's Complicated - $8,112,555
8. Leap Year - $5,928,510
9. The Blind Side - $5,557,274
10. Up In The Air - $5,445,379
11. Daybreakers - $5,185,554
12. Youth In Revolt - $3,004,123

Overall, the US Box Office was up 6% on last weekend's gross.

Despite a strong start from a new opener, AVATAR clawed back over Saturday and Sunday to take out top spot for the fifth weekend in a row. Earning a strong $42.7 million, the film hit $493 million and $1.6 billion worldwide, and is officially within striking distance of TITANIC's all time record. AVATAR also managed a strong $11 million on the holiday Monday, allowing it to cross the $500 million mark on its 32nd day of release, the fastest on record.

Opening in second, but no slouch, is THE BOOK OF ELI, the new film starring Denzel Washington. Earning a solid $32.7 million from the weekend, the apocalyptic-looking thriller has done well in spite of the competition, and depending on next weekend's performance, is in good stead to recoup its $80 million budget.

Expanding in to wide release is Peter Jackson's new film THE LOVELY BONES, which did okay with $17 million but is a far cry from the star director's previous successes. The film cost $100 million to make and does not appear to be catching on with the audience, having only earned $20.3 million since opening six weeks ago on a platform release.

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: THE SQUEAKQUEL recorded another $11.6 million against its tally, bringing it to $192 million. SHERLOCK HOLMES is likewise still doing well with $9.8 million this weekend to bring its current total to $180 million. IT'S COMPLICATED finally made its production budget back this weekend, earning $8.1 million to take its domestic tally to $88 million.

The only other new opener for the weekend is down in sixth place; THE SPY NEXT DOOR earned an okay $9.7 million, a figure Jackie Chan and Lionsgate should be happy with given the quality on show.