The Devil Inside bested the box office with a $ 34.5 million debut this weekend.

The performance was the third-biggest ever for a January opener, and enough to knock Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol out of the coveted No. 1 spot.

Hollywood, which saw ticket sales hit a 15-year low last year, is off to a good start in 2012 as ticket sales surged 30 percent over the same weekend in ’11.

The Devil Inside Trailer

Though demoted to No. 2, Ghost Protocol held well, coming up with $ 20.5 million, and hitting the $ 400 million mark worldwide. Sherlock Holmes was third.

Meryl Streep, meanwhile, was the hottest ticket by a different metric, with The Iron Lady averaging a weekend-best $ 34,420 at each theater it played in.

Here’s a complete look at the weekend’s top movies by revenue:

1. The Devil Inside, $ 34.5 million
2. Mission: Impossible-Ghost Protocol, $ 20.5 million
3. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, $ 14.1 million
4. The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, $ 11.4 million
5. Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, $ 9.5 million
6. War Horse, $ 8.6 million
7. We Bought a Zoo, $ 8.5 million
8. The Adventures of Tintin, $ 6.6 million
9. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, $ 5.8 million
10. New Year’s Eve, $ 3.3 million

The Hollywood Gossip

Small Dog Apparel,Pet Clothing Pooh T-shirts 653,S

US $6.27 (2 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Apr-27-2010 22:00:32 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

GIRLS CLOTHES 14 XL OLD NAVY LOT SHIRTS TOPS

US $9.00 (8 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Apr-27-2010 22:00:35 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Cool, arent they?

NEW STYLE NECKLACE & BRACELET FOR TEENS

US $1.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Apr-06-2010 21:39:32 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Star Style Attractive Side Button Apricot Tops S/M 0086

US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Apr-06-2010 21:39:38 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Cool, arent they?

Vintage Women Clothing ID Guide 1745-1979 Dress Hat Etc

US $17.97 End Date: Thursday Mar-25-2010 15:39:39 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $17.97 Buy it now | Add to watch list

WOMENS LOT OF 2 SCRUB TOPS UNIFORMS MEDICAL CLOTHING

US $8.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-25-2010 15:39:42 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Cool, arent they?

BN 24x Clothes Hanger Space Saving Wonder As Seen On TV

US $5.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 21:45:58 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Womens Clothes Clothing Tops Shirts 100% Cotton Blouse

US $1.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Mar-18-2010 21:46:01 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Cool, arent they?

Double Sided Lint/Dust/Pet Fur Furniture Clothes Brush

US $8.86 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Feb-23-2010 20:45:44 PST Buy It Now for only: US $11.19 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Mens Clothing Lot Tops Hoodies, Pants NWT 42/44 Lg 21pc

US $35.99 (5 Bids) End Date: Tuesday Feb-23-2010 20:45:58 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Cool, arent they?

Kids Childred Fashion X-Loop Sunglasses for Boys New

US $5.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Feb-12-2010 8:44:03 PST Buy It Now for only: US $6.95 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

EOM7045Charming new fashion blue chiffon dress tops S/M

US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Feb-12-2010 8:44:15 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Cool, arent they?

Hollywood Celebrity Striped mini shirt dress S/M

US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Jan-06-2010 4:37:07 PST Buy It Now for only: US $12.99 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Hollywood Celebrity Striped Hoodie tank tops S/M

US $7.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Jan-06-2010 4:37:15 PST Buy It Now for only: US $9.99 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Cool, arent they?

Hollywood Celebrity Striped mini shirt dress S/M

US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Jan-06-2010 4:37:07 PST Buy It Now for only: US $12.99 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Hollywood Celebrity Striped Hoodie tank tops S/M

US $7.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Jan-06-2010 4:37:15 PST Buy It Now for only: US $9.99 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Cool, arent they?

Amazing Fashion Round Shape Pink Zircon Beads Earring

US $2.29 (10 Bids) End Date: Monday Jan-04-2010 20:39:25 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Lady Fashion Blouse Band Waist White Shirt Tops Dress

US $5.70 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Jan-04-2010 20:39:34 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

Cool, arent they?