The box office results for the weekend of December 2nd – 4th is essentially a repeat of last weekend’s performance. With no major wide release on the docket, “Breaking Dawn – Part 1” ended up doing what no other Twilight installment has been able to do, while “The Muppets” see their strings get cut. Here are the studio estimates:

1. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 ($16.9 million)

2. The Muppets ($11.2 million)

3. Hugo ($7.6 million)

4. Arthur Christmas ($7.3 million)

5. Happy Feet Two ($6 million)

6. Jack and Jill ($5.5 million)

7. The Descendants ($5.2 million)

8. Immortals ($4.3 million)

9. Tower Heist ($4.1 million)

10. Puss in Boots ($3 million)

Analysis

Believe it or not, “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1” is the first in the four-picture franchise to hold the top spot for three weeks in a row. Domestically, the latest vamp/werewolf/human love triangle has now reached $247 million.

Now a big reason that the latest Twilight product was able to earn that franchise record is because of “The Muppets” falling hard after ten days in theaters. Dropping 62% from its first true weekend – with no competition – has to have Disney wondering went wrong here, since everyone and their mother is lauding this effort. When considering the time of year – and how most fam-friendly flicks perform – these numbers may have slammed the breaks on the Muppet comeback parade. Still, the $45 million produced feature should have a strong home video showing and the Jason Segel led resurrection story has yet to open in a vast number of international markets.

“Puss in Boots” currently holds the longest streak in the top ten with 6 weeks. Its worldwide total has just crossed $200 million. And just behind that is Tower Heist which has somehow lasted 5 weeks in the top ten for a worldwide total of just about $107 million off a budget of $75 million.

Flop Alert: “Arthur Christmas.” Depending on how much the marketing costs were, the producers are going to need reach over $200 million at the worldwide box office to see the black ink. Right now, its domestic stash sits at $25 million and will not be taking on much more. Internationally, things are looking about the same for the $100 million produced animation.

Sleeper Hit: As it was last week, keep your eye on “The Descendants.” This could be a sleeper in more ways than one (award season).

This Friday will at least have two wide releases in the romantic-comedy “New Year’s Eve” and the playful R-rated adventure “The Sitter.” Also dipping its toes into the box office water are “Young Adult” and “Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy.” Both of these flicks will be doing the slow roll-out over the next few weeks. Reviews will be right here my fellow Shockers.

By Joe Belcastro