[Niraj Rathod]

Having grossed an estimated $6.4 million for a cume of $32.4 million and worldwide total of $128.4 million, Paramount Studio's Tom Cruise starrer Mission: Impossible--Ghost Protocol continued to be at the top the domestic box office on Thursday.

The Brad Bird-directed film has earned $96 million internationally since its release last week. The film is expected to post a first-place gross of $40 to $45 million for the Wednesday-Sunday stretch.

After three weekends of woe at the box office, traffic has picked up this week as Christmas approaches. But the real test will be the week between Christmas and New Year when movie going escalates.

With Christmas day falling on a Sunday this year, Saturday will be a wash at the multiplex because of Christmas Eve. Christmas itself can be a strong day after presents are opened.

Commanding the No. 2 position on Thursday was Warner Bros.' Sherlock Holmes--A Game of Shadows that grossed $4.8 million for a seven-day domestic cume of $58.8 million.

After children flocked to see Fox's Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, the film moved up the chart to No. 3 grossing $4 million for a seven-day domestic cume of $36.9 million.

On the other hand, Steven Spielberg's 3D family film The Adventures of Tintin came in No. 5 on Thursday at the domestic box office preceded by Sony's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo at No. 4 in its second day of full play, grossing $3.3 million for a cume of $8.4 million.
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