This Weekend in Box Office History, Dec. 10-12

Here's a look back at the second weekend of December through the years:

5 Years Ago - 2005

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe blazed onto the scene with $65.6 million, which was the second highest-grossing December opening ever at the time behind The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Syriana opened nationwide to a decent $11.7 million, while Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire fell to third. Brokeback Mountain and Memoirs of a Geisha posted sizable limited debuts. • Weekend Report: 'Narnian' Delight: Passion of the 'Lion' Pays Off

10 Years Ago - 2000

How the Grinch Stole Christmas spent its fourth consecutive weekend atop the box office, grossing $18.6 million. Action hopeful Vertical Limit didn't climb that high with a $15.5 million start. Russell Crowe/Meg Ryan romance Proof of Life went poof out of the gate, making $10.2 million, while Dungeons & Dragons went up in smoke with $7.2 million. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon had a strong debut in limited release. • Weekend Chart

15 Years Ago - 1995

Toy Story was No. 1 for the third weekend in a row, generating $13.9 million. There was only one new nationwide release, Father of the Bride Part II, which earned a solid $11.1 million. That was greater than its predecessor's $7 million start. • Weekend Chart

20 Years Ago - 1990

Home Alone held onto the top spot for the fourth consecutive weekend, grossing $14.2 million, while Misery slotted in second with $7.1 million in its second weekend. There was only one nationwide debut, Clint Eastwood-Charlie Sheen vehicle The Rookie (1990), which limped in with $5.5 million. Edward Scissorhands impressed in its two-theater start. • Weekend Chart

25 Years Ago - 1985

Rocky IV dominated again with $11.2 million, while Chevy Chase-Dan Aykroyd comedy Spies Like Us launched with a good $8.6 million. Mikhail Baryshnikov-Gregory Hines dance drama White Nights expanded nationwide and made a decent $4.5 million. Meanwhile, Young Sherlock Holmes disappointed with $2.5 million (adult Sherlock Holmes would later get box office revenge in Dec. 2009). • Weekend Chart

Weekend Reports for This Timeframe in Past Years:
• 2009 - 'Princess and the Frog' Leaps to the Top
• 2008 - 'The Day the Earth' Stalls
• 2007 - 'Golden Compass' Doesn't Get the Lead Out
• 2006 - 'Apocalypto' Impales Top Spot
• 2005 - 'Narnian' Delight: Passion of the 'Lion' Pays Off
• 2004 - 'Ocean' Swings, 'Blade' Dulls