Mission accomplished for Tom Cruise

Tom Cruise had extra reason to celebrate over Christmas as his latest movie topped the US holiday weekend's cinema takings.

Studio estimates placed Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol as the top grossing movie in the country with $26.5 million over its first weekend in full release.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows was No 2 in its second weekend with $17.8 million.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked finished third with $13.3 million.

Big newcomers failed to light up the box office, though.

David Fincher and Daniel Craig's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was No 4 with $13 million.

Steven Spielberg's The Adventures of Tintin was No 5 with $9.1 million and Cameron Crowe and Matt Damon's We Bought a Zoo was No 6 with $7.8 million.