LOS ANGELES (AP)—Doom spelled dollars at the box office as the global-disaster tale “2012” opened at No. 1 domestically with $65 million and pulled in $225 million worldwide.

The Sony Pictures action saga tells the story of a scramble to save remnants of humanity aboard giant arks as the earth’s crust shifts and flood waters pour over most of the planet. With a cast led by John Cusack, Danny Glover and Chiwetel Ejiofor, “2012” was directed by doomsday specialist Roland Emmerich (“Independence Day,” “The Day After Tomorrow”).

Overseas, “2012” did $17.2 million in France, $15.3 million in Russia, $9.9 million in South Korea and $8.1 million in Spain.

Domestically, “2012” came in just shy of the $68.7 million opening weekend for “The Day After Tomorrow.” But Sony reported that its global total was the best ever for an original movie not based on an established franchise, brand or best-selling novel.

“Disney’s A Christmas Carol” slipped to No. 2 with $22.3 million, down only 26 percent from last week.

Lionsgate’s acclaimed drama “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” broke into the top 10 as it expanded to more theaters after a huge debut in limited release the previous weekend.

Finishing at No. 4, “Precious” took in $6.1 million in 174 theaters, averaging $35,000 a cinema and raising its 10-day total to $8.9 million. That compared to a $19,095 average in 3,404 theaters for “2012.”

Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” added $5.1 million domestically to raise its total to $67.2 million.

The weekend’s other new wide release, Focus Features’ rock ’n’ roll comedy “Pirate Radio,” opened at a weak No. 11 with $2.9 million in 882 theaters, averaging $3,253 a cinema.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U. S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com:

1. “2012,” $65 million; 2. “Disney’s A Christmas Carol,” $22.3 million; 3. “The Men Who Stare at Goats,” $6.2 million; 4. “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire,” $6.1 million; 5. “Michael Jackson’s This Is It,” $5.1 million; 6. “The Fourth Kind,” $4.7 million; 7. “Couples Retreat,” $4.3 million; 8. “Paranormal Activity,” $4.2 million; 9. “Law Abiding Citizen,” $3.9 million; 10. “The Box,” $3.2 million.

Final figures will be released Monday.