James Cameron's successful sci-fi action adventure "Avatar" doesn't show any intention of slowing down at the North American box office anytime soon. Case in point: the film collected another impressive $18.4 million Wednesday, bringing its early domestic total to a superb $268.8 million after a two-week run.

Fox's "Avatar" actually gained one percent in earnings over Tuesday, scoring an average of $5,343 per theater at 3,456 locations. The film is poised for another big weekend that will certainly help it cross the $300 million mark, considering no new releases are opening wide this week (next release date is Jan. 8).

Still doing well at No. 2 Wednesday was Betty Thomas' sequel "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel," which picked up $11.7 million for a one-week total gross of $111.9 million. Following in third place with $9.7 million was Guy Ritchie's "Sherlock Holmes," which lifted its total gross to $93.5 million.

Meanwhile, Nancy Meyers' new comedy "It's Complicated" clinged to the No. 4 spot, bagging $4.4 million for a total haul of $35 million. "The Princess and the Frog" came in fifth Wednesday, pulling $3.3 million for a cume of $73.4 million. What a way to finish this year, huh? A big box office is always good news!

Source: Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com)