And the winners are...

2009 ended with a bang of great movies. The top 10 movies ranged in genre, each raking in massive amounts of money. If the opportunity arises go to the nearest video rental store, and check out any of these flicks. A scary but funny film was "Monsters vs. Aliens," which came in at No. 10. A woman named Susan Murphy is turned into an alien after a meteorite from outer space hits her. After her transformation, Susan is taken by the government to a secret location where she meets a group of monsters who were also taken by the government. The president later decides to use the monsters to fight against the aliens and save the world. But who will win? "Monsters vs. Aliens" was shown in 4,136 theaters and made a total amount of $198,351,526. Alvin is back in "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" which ranked in at No. 9. The film appeared in 3,747 theaters and made $204,484,323. The three lovable chipmunks, Alvin, Simon and Theodore end up with Dave Seville's nephew, Levi. While living with Levi, the chipmunks must return to school meaning their career has to be put on hold. At school the chipmunks decide to set forth to save the music program, so a battle of the bands is in order with a $25,000 prize for the winner. However, winning the battle of the bands is not as easy as it seems for the chipmunks when they meet their competition, the Chipettes. A touching and true story, "The Blind Side," came scoring in at No. 8. The film is based on football player Michael Oher, a poor, under-educated African American boy from a broken home. He is adopted into a well-off white family where everything changes for him. He is later recruited by a major college football team to eventually become an all-American offensive left tackle. With the help of his family and coaches he is able to succeed in school and in football. "The Blind Side" was shown at 3,407 theaters and made $233,982,624. "Star Trek," beamed up at No. 7, appearing in 4,053 theaters this sci-fi movie made $257,730,019. It's set 20 years after the death of James Kirk's father. During the years, Kirk has been inspired by Capt. Christopher Pike to fulfill the potential he possesses in the Starfleet. Later, an emergency occurs at Vulcan and the newly commissioned USS Enterprise, crewed with talented cadets and Kirk, set out on a vast adventure to the final frontier. A jungle cat makes an appearance in the hilarious movie "The Hangover," pulling in at No. 6. Four friends, Doug, Phil, Stu and Alan, take a trip to Las Vegas two days before Doug wed his soon-to-be wife Tracy. After a night of partying Phil, Stu, and Alan wake up hungover wondering what happened and where's Doug. As the movie unfolds they retrace their footsteps to discover what happened the night before they lost Doug. "The Hangover" was shown in 3,545 theaters and made a total of $277,322,503. The uplifting animation film, "Up," soared in at No. 5. Appearing in 3,886 theaters and making $293,004,164, Pixar created another fun-for-the-family movie. The main character, Carl meets with a fun, free-spirited girl named Ellie when they are both young. Years later they marry and share a dream of someday going to a Lost Land in South America and building their home there. Ellie dies before this dream can be fulfilled so Carl sets out to make the dream happen. Attaching balloons to make his house float and with the help of a young boy, Russell, they embark on one fun adventure after another. The epic "Twilight" saga continues with the ever popular "New Moon," which prowled to No. 4. Based on the book by Stephanie Meyer, "New Moon" continues where "Twilight" ended. Bella has recovered from the vampire attack she encountered in the previous movie. With her birthday nearing, Edward and his family arrange a surprise birthday party for her. Shortly after her birthday, Edward and his family depart from Forks, Wash., leaving Bella behind to suffer in a deep depression over the absence of Edward. During this period Bella starts to live a reckless life thinking it will bring Edward back. She begins to form a closer friendship with Jacob. With Edward's absence danger lurks in many forms, all aiming towards Bella. "New Moon" was shown in 4,124 theaters and made a total of $293,223,221. Back again for round six is No. 3, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." Appearing in 4,455 theaters, "Harry Potter" made $301,959,197. Journeying back to Hogwarts are Harry, Ron and Hermione as they begin their sixth year of school. Throughout the year, Lord Voldemort becomes stronger while unleashing his fiery onto the Muggle and wizarding worlds. With the realization of this, Dumbledore prepares Harry for the battle he will eventually have to face against Voldemort. While working with Dumbledore they uncover some vastly important secrets along the way. Autobots roll out, as the No. 2 movie in "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen." In this action-packed movie the main character, Sam begins his first year of college while the Decepticons reek havoc in Shanghai. The reason for this being the Decepticons need access to Sam's mind in order to see some glyphs imprinted. These imprinted glyphs will lead the Decepticons to an object that, when inserted in an alien machine will give them enough power to blow out the sun. Appearing in 4,293 theaters, this movie made $402,111,870. Finally, the 14-year long making of the No. 1 film of 2009 is out, "Avatar." Being shown in 3,461 theaters and making a total of $554,981,691, "Avatar" wowed audiences everywhere. A paraplegic ex-marine named Jake is brought to planet Pandora which is inhabited by a humanoid race called the Na'vi. While on the planet, Jake must learn the language and behaviors of the Na'vi in order to become one of them and gain their respect. As the movie progresses, a dilemma arises between a group of people researching the Na'vi and corporate officials who want to drive the Na'vi out of their home in order to obtain valuable materials within their homeland. As a huge battle ensues, it is up to Jake and the group of researchers to save the Na'vi before it is too late. With so many different, highly recommended movies choices out from 2009 there is surely something fun to watch for all ages. 2010 will hopefully have as many great movies as 2009 did. Info from http://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2009&p=.htm.