Studio estimates Sunday place "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" a solid No. 1 with $26.5 million domestically 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.