Film fans 'lapping up' dog tale

Marley and Me features a dog who causes chaos wherever he goes

The highest-grossing film in North America on Christmas Day was Marley and Me, which features Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson, reports suggest.

The movie, about a puppy acquired by newlyweds, took an estimated $14.8m (�10.2m), 20th Century Fox claimed.

It was followed by The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, starring Aniston's ex-husband Brad Pitt, which earned $11.8m (�8.1m), trade title Variety said.

In third place was Disney's family film Bedtime Stories, with Adam Sandler.

Tom Cruise's Nazi thriller Valkyrie generated an estimated $8.5m (�5.8m) on Thursday to enter the chart at number four.

And last week's most popular film - Yes Man, starring Jim Carrey - was in fifth place, according to early indications, with $6m (�4.1m).

Bruce Snyder, distribution president at 20th Century Fox, said the takings for Marley and Me were "phenomenal holiday numbers".

He described the film, inspired by a memoir by US journalist John Grogan, as "the definition of a 'feel-good movie'".

If its estimated revenue of $14.8m were to be confirmed, it would beat the previous Christmas Day record of $10.2m (�7m).

This was set by Ali, a biographical film about boxer Muhammad Ali, in 2001.

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