Carrey's "A Christmas Carol" tops box office

Walt Disney's high-tech adaptation of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" has topped the North American box office with lower-than-expected ticket sales of $31 million dollars.

Industry pundits had forecast a three-day haul in the $35 to $45 million range for the Jim Carrey vehicle, which was directed by Robert Zemeckis.

Last weekend's champion, the Michael Jackson concert documentary "This is It" slipped to No. 2 with $14 million, taking its 12-day domestic total to $58 million.

George Clooney's military comedy "The Men Who Stare At Goats" rounded out the top $3 with a solid $13.3 million.

The critically acclaimed film, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" also opened up with very strong numbers in a limited release.