Tom Cruise tops box office

"Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol" has grossed nearly $ 59 million since its release on December 16.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol" scared up $ 26.5 million on 3,448 screens


• "Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows" brought in $ 17.8 million on 3,703 screens


• "The Adventures of Tintin" grossed $ 9.1 million

() -- Mission: Merrily Accomplished for Tom Cruise.

The fourth installment in the actor's "Mission: Impossible" spy-fi franchise -- this time directed by Oscar winner Brad Bird making his live-action debut -- finished in first place at the box office this weekend (Friday-Sunday), beating last weekend's top flick, "Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows."

"Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol" scared up $ 26.5 million on 3,448 screens and has grossed nearly $ 59 million since its release on December 16. "Game of Shadows" brought in $ 17.8 million on 3,703 screens, down 55.1% from last weekend. The sequel has tallied $ 76.5 million since opening two weeks ago.

Hunt or Holmes? Which flick to pick?

In a close battle for third, "" ($ 13.3 million; $ 50.3 million overall) edged the opening weekend frame of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" ($ 13.0 million; $ 21.4 million cumulative).

"" grossed $ 9.1 million ($ 17.1 cumulative) for fifth place, followed by "," which brought in $ 7.8 million in its first three days in theaters.