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In only five weeks in release, Avatar has become the second highest-grossing movie of all time and of 2009. This weekend it took in another $41.3 million, bringing its domestic total to $491.8 million and its worldwide haul to $1.6 billion. Avatar could continue to bring in big bucks during Oscar season, as it’s likely to be nominated in several categories. Could it beat The Dark Knight’s domestic gross of $533.3 million to become the second highest-grossing movie of all time in that category as well? Could its worldwide sum beat out Titanic, even? All I know is that James Cameron must be a very, very happy man.

The Book of Eli started strong, actually kicking Avatar off of its perch on Friday to debut at #1 with $11.7 million. It took a 1% increase on Saturday, but then a 31.4% decrease on Sunday. Total over the three days was $31.6 million, opening with a decent amount more than star Denzel Washington’s last flick The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 in June. In its 2,560 screen increase, Pete Jackson’s The Lovely Bones came in third this weekend with $17.1 million. The film is surely not suffering much from the poor reviews, and the Oscar buzz may even be causing people to want to go out and see it.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel fell a spot and 30.6% to fourth place with $11.5 million, bringing its domestic total to $192.6 million. Sherlock Holmes rounds out the top five with $9.8 million, its grand sum a whopping $180 million.

Out of the top five-

• The Spy Next Door, starring Jackie Chan, couldn’t manage an entry into the top five, opening at #6 with $9.7 million.
• Michael Hoffman’s The Last Station, which is generating a lot of Oscar buzz for highlight Helen Mirren’s performance, debuted with $81,700 on three screens.

Here are the box office results according to studio estimates Sunday:

1. 1. Avatar…$41.3 million
2. 2. The Book of Eli…$31.6 million
3. 3. The Lovely Bones…$17.1 million
4. 4. Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel…$11.5 million
5. 5. Sherlock Holmes…$9.8 million
6. 6. The Spy Next Door…$9.7 million
7. 7. It’s Complicated…$7.7 million
8. 8. Leap Year…$5.8 million
9. 9. The Blind Side…$5.6 million
10. 10. Up in the Air…$5.5 million