"Les Miserables" and "Django Unchained" Join the Ranks of Top 3 Christmas Releases Ever!

This year, Santa was more than generous to the studios behind "Les Miserables" and "Django Unchained." The two films, both released Christmas Day, now join the ranks of the top three Christmas releases in history, in second and third place respectively.

"Les Miserables," which opened in 2,808 theaters in North America, earned a whopping $18.2 million on its first day. Opening in 3,010 theaters, "Django Unchained" isn't far behind with $15 million. "Sherlock Holmes" still holds the #1 spot, having grossed $24.6 million on Christmas Day in 2009.

Fandango, the American movie ticket-reserving service, is reporting record-breaking ticket sales. Deadline reported that Fandango broke their 12-year record for most tickets sold on a single day.

"Django" broke another record for having the top Christmas opening for an R-rated movie.

Universal Pictures and The Weinstein Comany, the respective studios behind "Les Miserables" and "Django Unchained," have expressed their satisfaction with their films' box office accomplishments.

"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" has slipped from second to third place in this week's box office tally. It only grossed $11.3 million this week. The comedy "Parental Guidance" is a distant fourth with $6.4 million in weekly earnings. "Jack Reacher" made $5.2 million this week, and the sixth place earner, "This is 40," made $4.3 million.