The Top Five

#1 "Apocalypto" ($14.1 million)
#2 "The Holiday" ($13.5 million)
#3 "Happy Feet" ($12.7 million)
#4 "Casino Royale" ($8.8 million)
#5 "Blood Diamond" ($8.5 million)

It wasn't exactly an apocalypse or end of days for the penguins, but there was significant news at the box office this weekend as the three-week reign of "Happy Feet" at #1 was ended by Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto."

While no film lit up the leader board in a big way, Mel's subtitled Mayan epic did squeeze into the top spot with $14.1 million. That haul is impressive for a number of reasons, not the least because the film features zero stars and abundant violence (not surprising from the director of "The Passion of the Christ"). But solid reviews and Gibson's storytelling skills ensured that his latest earned a decent tally — in fact earning even more than his "Braveheart" did in its opening weekend 11 years ago.

Totals were less impressive for the weekend's other films. Cameron Diaz's "The Holiday" earned a middling $13.5 million, good enough for a debut in the #2 spot. Falling to third was everyone's favorite dancing-penguin flick, "Happy Feet," with $12.7 million; after four weeks its gross stands at nearly $138 million. In fourth place was "Casino Royale," proving James Bond still isn't done raking in the dough.

Remember how well Leonardo DiCaprio did with "The Departed" at the box office ($118 million and counting)? Well, his latest, "Blood Diamond," failed to get audiences too excited despite all the controversy surrounding the film and its harsh take on the diamond trade in Africa. It took in a disappointing $8.5 million, good for just fifth — and the film's dwindling chances for Oscar consideration look slimmer.

How'd We Do

As falls "Happy Feet," so does this writer's three-week reign as top predictor. Relishing every dollar "Apocalypto" raked in was MTV News writer Larry Carroll, who correctly predicted Mel's latest would be #1. Alas, our celebrity guest prognosticator Joss Stone put all her money on Leonardo DiCaprio.

Prognosticator (Weeks Won)

Josh Horowitz, MTV Movies Editor (3)
Larry Carroll, MTV News Writer (3)
Celebrity guest (1)

In Perspective

Mel Gibson may have phased out acting (his last leading-man role was in 2002's "Signs"), but his directing efforts haven't done too badly at the box office. After a little-seen debut with "The Man Without a Face," Gibson's been on a roll with his flicks. Take a look at how his first three films behind the camera fared at the multiplex (domestic totals).

» "The Man Without a Face" (1993) $24.7 million
» "Braveheart" (1995) $75.6 million
» "The Passion of the Christ" (2004) $370.7 million

Next week

Three films with wide appeal go wide this Friday and all have high hopes for lots of cash at the box office. The hardest working 12 year old in the business, Dakota Fanning, chills with pigs and spiders and every other animal you can think of in a re-telling of "Charlotte's Web." If you like your family friendly fantasy replete with dragons, then plan your weekend around "Eragon." Then there's the man who's money in the bank: Will Smith. His newest flick, an inspirational tale called "The Pursuit of Happyness," will try to prove that moviegoers love their stars even when they're in films with titles that butcher the English language.

Check out everything we've got on "Apocalypto," "The Holiday," "Happy Feet," "Casino Royale" and "Blood Diamond."

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