Golden Compass Flops To Top of Box Office

(andPOP) - Despite topping the weekend box office, The Golden Compass couldn’t find its way to a record-breaking debut.

New Line Cinema was hoping the $180 million fantasy epic would pull in big numbers but had to settle for $26.1 million and the number one weekend spot.

It’s been compared to other children’s books turned movie franchises like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter but those movies grossed at least $47 million in their first weekends.

After loads of controversy surrounding the anti-Christian messages in the Golden Compass and less than great reviews, the movie seemed doomed. But even if it didn’t live up to the hype, the film pulled in much bigger numbers than stars Nicole Kidman's and Daniel Craig's last flop, The Invasion, E! Online reports.

Rounding out the top five weekend films are Enchanted with $10.7 million, This Christmas coming in at number 3 with $5 million, Fred Claus, $4.7 million and finally, Beowulf with $4.4 million.