Brad & Jen Set Box Office Records, But, Jen Wins!

There were no lumps of coal in Brad Pitt or Jennifer Aniston’s stockings this Christmas. The former couple both had movies in competition for the top spot on Christmas Day, and while Aniston’s film pulled in the most money, both movies were winners at the box office. Aniston’s Marley & Me, a feel-good movie costarring Owen Wilson about a young family and mischievous dog, was the leader of the pack, grossing $14.8 million, the highest one-day total ever for a film opening on Christmas. But Pitt’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button wasn’t far behind. The film, about the life-long romance between a man who ages in reverse (Pitt) and a woman (Cate Blanchett), set the record for the second-highest Christmas opening of all-time with $11.8 million. – from People

Twentieth Century Fox’s Jennifer Aniston-Owen Wilson starrer “Marley and Me” led the crowded pack of Christmas Day openers, grossing an estimated $14.8 million from 3,480 playdates to become the best opening ever for Dec. 25. Not only does “Marley” feature an adorable dog, it is rated PG, meaning it is appropriate for families.(Bring your hankies, however.) Paramount’s “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”–toplining Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett–also overperformed, grossing an estimated $11.8 million from 2,988 runs to score the second best Christmas Day opener of all time. Directed by David Fincher, “Button” has already picked up a number of key award noms. – from Variety

When it comes to North American moviegoing habits, this rule is primo — don’t ever bet against a pooch. So my info is that 20th Century Fox’s Marley And Me based on the bestselling book is beating the competition “by a mile”. Driven by women moviegoers, the Owen Wilson tearjerker about a man and his dog did twice what was expected — as did No. 2, Paramount’s Oscar buzzed The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button starring Brad Pitt. “It’s a classic dovetail: Marley’s strength is smack in the middle of the country and the south, while Button is strong on both coasts,” one studio insider tells me. – from Deadline Hollywood

Brad Pitt may have dumped Jennifer Aniston for Angelina Jolie and then rubbed it in her face by being photographed with Jolie and their growing family every other day for two years, but, so far at least, Aniston’s movie is whupping Brad’s movie’s butt! Big Hollywood just came out with preliminary box office numbers for Christmas Day, and “Marley & Me” has edged out “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” for the Number One slot. “Marley” clocked in with $13.9 million in ticket sales, while “Button” lagged slightly behind with $11.1 million. – from Foxnews