“The Day the Earth Stood Still” is No. 1 at the weekend box office

Los Angeles, December 15: Keanu Reeves is adding another box office hit under his belt as the movie “The Day the Earth Stood Still” which he stars in topped the box-office during the weekend.

Despite many negative feedbacks from critics, the sci-fi film remake raked in $31 million in ticket sales from the United States and Canada during its opening weekend.

The movie also drew in a large audience internationally gaining $39 million from 90 overseas markets putting the total earnings of the movie to $70 million.

“The Day the Earth Stood Still” is a remake of the 1951 movie about an alien and a giant robot which came to Earth. Reeves plays the role of the alien names Klaatu whose mission is to save the planet Earth. Jennifer Connelly co-stars in the movie as the scientist who helps Klaatu. The movie is directed by Scott Derrickson.

Chris Aronson, Fox’s senior vice-president of domestic distribution commented on how the movie will impact those who see it. He said, "Audiences are moving to see `The Day the Earth Stood Still.' It's a visually stunning movie with timely issues everybody on this planet can relate to. Basically, how we treat each other and how we treat this planet that we call home."

Aronson also said, "It's [the movie] an environmental as well as a political statement."

“The Day the Earth Stood Still” grabbed the number one spot from the Warner Bros. movie “Four Christmases” putting it into second place after two weeks at number one. The holiday comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon earned $13.3 million during the weekend putting its total sales to $88 million.

Another holiday movie, “Nothing Like the Holidays” which stars John Leguizamo, Debra Messing and Alfred Molina got into the top ten. The movie from Overture Films opened with $3.5 million taking the number seven spot.

Here is the complete list of the top ten movies during the weekend:
1. The Day the Earth Stood Still - $31 million.
2. Four Christmases - $13.3 million.
3. Twilight - $8 million.
4. Bolt - $7.5 million.
5. Australia - $4.3 million.
6. Quantum of Solace - $3.8 million.
7. Nothing Like the Holidays - $3.5 million.
8. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa - $3.3 million.
9. Milk - $2.6 million.
10. Transporter 3 - $2.3 million.