“The Golden Compass” pulled in $26.1 million at the box office over the weekend, but it was a modest opening compared to such recent December heavyweights as “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Chronicles of Narnia.” The three “Lord of the Rings” films rhad opening weekends ranging from $47.2 million to $72.6 million. Disney’s “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” opened with $65.6 million in 2005, so “Compass” is somewhat disappointing.

“The Golden Compass” follows the adventures of an orphan girl hurled into a parallel world of witches, strange flying machines and talking polar bears.

Despite a summer of record revenue, Hollywood’s business has dropped of this fall. The slow start for “The Golden Compass” continued that trend, with the top twelve movies taking in only $73.2 million, down 10 percent from the same weekend last year.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Media By Numbers LLC. Final figures will be released later today.

1. “The Golden Compass,” $26.1 million.

2. “Enchanted,” $10.7 million.

3. “This Christmas,” $5 million.

4. “Fred Claus,” $4.7 million.

5. “Beowolf,” $4.4 million.

6. “No Country for Old Men,” $4.2 million.

7. “August Rush,” $3.5 million.

8. “Hitman,” $3.48 million.

9. “Awake,” $3.3 million.

10. “Bee Movie,” $2.6 million.