by Bill Graham

As "The Golden Compass" loses it way, comedy films continue to post solid box office returns.  Even though it snagged the number one spot, the super expensive "Golden Compass" is seen as underperforming by bringing in only $26 million against its $180 million cost.  Yikes! 

Nipping at its CGI heels in the second and third box office spots are family holiday comedies "Enchanted" and "This Christmas," showing some legs in their third week in release.  And speaking of legs, "Fred Claus," seemingly unharmed by bad reviews, scored fourth place in its fifth week in release - take that humourless film critics! 

Teen pregnancy comedy "Juno" opened huge in limited release in four theatres - could this be another hit for Jason Reitman?  Dark family comedy "The Savages" continued a solid limited run in nine theatres - keep an eye out for Oscar nom for Laura Linney's selfless performance.  And as for Philip Seymour Hoffman - is a hat trick of noms a possibility? ("Before the Devil Knows You're Dead," "The Savages," and "Charlie Wilson's War")  At any rate, we think the producers of the recent spate of downer dramas are in for some "Atonement."

To see how comedy fared at the box office, see Top Ten list below or
>> click here for the full chart. 

Find the Funny's Comedy at the Box Office:

1. Enchanted
2. This Christmas
3. Fred Claus
4. Bee Movie
5. Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
6. Dan in Real Life
7. Juno
8. Margot at the Wedding
9. Lars and the Real Girl
10. The Savages