LOS ANGELES - MOVIEGOERS got their holiday cheer in gear, sending romantic comedy 'Four Christmases' to the top of box office hits over the US Thanksgiving weekend for its North American debut, Exhibitor Relations said on Sunday.

Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn, playing a couple struggling to visit all four of their divorced parents on Christmas, brought the feature 31.7 million dollars (S$47.9 million) over the three-day weekend.

James Bond thriller 'Quantum of Solace', which came in fourth place this weekend, raked in the most total ticket sales since its debut two weeks ago, with 142 million dollars (S$214.7 million).

The top 12 films grossed 156.7 million dollars this weekend, more than twice the amount in the same period last year, according to the industry monitor.

Disney's animated 'Bolt' barked up to a second place with 26.6 million dollars, just ahead of the teen vampire film 'Twilight', at 26.4 million dollars.

'Australia' racked up 14.8 million, while 'Transporter 3' earned 12.3 million.

In eighth place, 'Role Models' brought in 5.28 million dollars, followed by 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas' at 1.69 million.

'MLK' rounded up the top ten in its debut weekend with 1.38 million in ticket sales. -- AFP