"Skyfall" took in $11 million to move back to the top spot in its fifth weekend.
That puts it narrowly ahead of "Rise of the Guardians," the animated adventure of Santa, the Easter Bunny and other mythological heroes that pulled in $10.5 million.
"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2," which had been tops for three-straight weekends, earned 9.2 million.
The box office is expected to soar again next weekend with the pre-Christmas release of several big productions.
The top 10 films of the weekend were:
1. "Skyfall," $11 million ($20.3 million)
2. "Rise of the Guardians," $10.5 million ($26 million international)
3. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2," $9.2 million ($23.5 millin international)
4. "Lincoln," $9.1 million
5. "Life of Pi," $8.3 million ($23.8 million international)
6. "Playing for Keeps," $6 million ($2.5 million international)
7. "Wreck-It Ralph," $4.9 million ($5.8 million international)
8. "Red Dawn," $4.3 million
9. "Flight," $3.1 million
10. "Killing Them Softly," $2.7 million ($1.4 million international)
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
