Disney's The Chronicles of Narnia managed to wrest the box office crown away from King Kong over the four-day New Year's weekend earning an estimated $32.8 million and beating out Kong by just over $1 million.  Narnia improved slightly on its 4-day Christmas weekend total, while Kong's take slipped ever so slightly, but the combined strength of the two powerhouses was enough to push up the weekend total an impressive 5% over last year's New Years' total.

Narnia, now in its fourth week of release, has earned over $224 million and is quickly catching up to Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (at least in domestic box office).  Disney's marketing strategy for Narnia has worked to perfection with youngsters and Christian groups flocking to the film and setting the table for a feast of sequels to come.

King Kong is also demonstrating great 'legs' and its per theater average was actually slightly better than Narnia's.  Kong also stands to get more Academy Award attention, and though it is doubtful that it will grab any of the major awards since the Academy recently honored Peter Jackson's Return of the King, it could get a late innings boost in March.

Young viewers also helped Cheaper By the Dozen 2 boost its box office take by more than 25% during its second weekend, while Jim Carrey's comedy Fun With Dick and Jane finished in third place once again and only declined about a half a million dollars in its second week.