Christmas Box Office: 'Les Mis' No. 1 With $18.2 Million; 'Django Unchained' Strong No. 2

Universal's Les Miserables opened to No. 1 on Christmas Day with an impressive take of $18.2 million, surpassing industry expectations and scoring the second-best debut for the holiday after Sherlock Holmes, which opened to $24.6 million in 2009.

our editor recommends

'Les Miserables': What the Critics Are Saying

'Les Misérables' Composers on the Musical's Legacy, the Movie's Challenges and Susan Boyle (Q&A)

Spike Lee: 'Django Unchained' is 'Disrespectful,' I Will Not See It

In Theaters This Week: Reviews of 'Les Miserables,' 'Django Unchained,' 'Promised Land' and More

Director Tom Hooper's film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical stars Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Russell Crowe.

PHOTOS: 'Les Miserables': Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman Pose for THR

Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained also did bang-up business on its first day, grossing $15 million, the top opening for an R-rated film on Christmas Day, exceeding the $10 million earned by Ali in 2002.

Django, from the Weinstein Co., stars Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Hollywood was pleased with the level of Christmas Day traffic at the multiplex.

PHOTOS: Quentin Tarantino's 'Django Unchained' NYC Premiere

Placing No. 3 was Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with an anticipated $11.3 million.

Also opening Tuesday was Fox's family comedy Parental Guidance, starring Billy Crystal, Bette Midler and Marisa Tomei. The movie came in No. 4 with a projected $6.4 million.

The trio of new films struck a chord with moviegoers: Les Mis received an A CinemaScore, while Django and Parental Guidance both received an A-.