3D movie sensation AVATAR has maintained its spot at the top of the U.S. box office for a third week running, taking a staggering $68.3 million (£42.7 million) over the New Year (09/10).
The impressive haul means James Cameron's blockbuster has now taken $352.1 million (£352 million) in America alone in the 17 days since it was released. Added to the $670 million (£419 million) Avatar has taken overseas, the movie has achieved a worldwide total of $1.02 billion - and looks set to emulate the success of the director's record-breaking 1997 epic Titanic.
Sherlock Holmes finished second, with a respectable $38.4 million (£24 million), and a domestic total of $140.7 million (£87.9 million) in two weeks of release.
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel is third, with $36.6 million (£22.9 million). It raised its 10-day total to $157.3 million.
It's Complicated trailed in fourth, taking $7.1 million (£4.4 million), ahead of The Blind Side, which rounds out the top five with $4.5 million (£2.8 million).