Box Office: 'Jumanji: The next level' levels up with $60 million debut, 'Richard Jewell' stumbles.

LOS ANGELES -- It's shaping up to be a merry holiday season for 'Jumanji: The Next Level. ' Sony's adventure sequel debuted in first place to $60. 1 million, dethroning 'Frozen' after three consecutive weeks as box office champ. Those ticket sales, at the higher end of industry projections, represent a healthy jump on its predecessor, 2017's 'Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle' ($36 million). It also marks the highest debut for a December comedy, as well as the best start for live action movie for stars Kevin Hart and Jack Black. It's a decidedly less jovial time for fellow new movies, Warner Bros. 'Richard Jewell' and Universal's

'Black Christmas. ' Heading into the weekend, both films were expected to earn at least $10 million. Instead, the pair combined barely hit that number. On the plus side, December releases don't typically have huge openings ('Star Wars' movies aside) but can have long legs in theatres throughout the holiday season. 'Richard Jewell, ' the latest offering from director Clint Eastwood, tumbled out of the gate in fourth place $5 million from 2, 502 theatres. Those uninspired...