'Juno' Hits Top of Box Office

The independent movie Juno, which continues to please audiences for its sardonic charm and impress industry observers for its financial good fortune, moved into the No. 1 spot at the box office on Monday. Its $1.4 million gross came from just 1,925 theaters, beating the daily totals of the blockbusters National Treasure: Book of Secrets ($1.3 mil) and I Am Legend ($1.1 mil) — both of which played in nearly twice as many venues as the quirky comedy.

The Fox Searchlight release, about a spunky, pregnant high schooler (Ellen Page), has grossed $53 million in five weeks, despite the fact that it expanded into wide release only last weekend (when it finished No. 2, behind National Treasure). It is nominated for three Golden Globes — Best Picture-Musical or Comedy, Best Actress-Musical or Comedy (Page), and Best Screenplay (Diablo Cody) — and its ongoing box office success reinforces its position as a possible Oscar contender.

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