The dark tale about a girl trying to lead an exorcism on her mother took $34.5 million in ticket sales in the United States and Canada, and knocked Tom Cruise's "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol," off the top spot.
The Cruise movie, which earned $20.5 million at the weekend according to the preliminary figures, has amassed $170.2 million since its release.
The weekend sales estimates said "Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows," took $14.1 million, in third place this week, bringing its four-week running total up to $157.4 million.
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," starring British heartthrob Daniel Craig, was in fifth place, taking an estimated $11.4 million in sales, and "Alvin And the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked," was in sixth place with $9.5 million in earnings.
"War Horse," a drama from director Steven Spielberg, garnered $8.6 million, and "We Bought A Zoo," starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson was in seventh place on $8.5 million.
"The Adventures Of Tintin," ($6.6 million), "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy," ($5.8 million), and "New Year's Eve," ($3.3 million), rounded out the top ten.