Disney’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ debuted at #1 over the weekend, but did not live up to projections. According to Reuters, industry analysts projected a $35-45 million opening weekend, but the film only delivered on $31 million.

‘A Christmas Carol,’ which currently holds a 54% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, took the #1 spot from the popular Michael Jackson concert film ‘This is It,’ and also beat out the new George Clooney film ‘Men Who Stare at Goats,’ the UFO thriller ‘The Fourth Kind’ and the horror movie ‘Paranormal Activity.’

Despite the underwhelming opening however, Disney is confident that ‘A Christmas Carol’ will be a success. “You know you’re in for a marathon rather than a dash,” said Chuck Viane, Disney’s president of domestic theatrical distribution. The company believes that the film will continue to bring in revenue as the Christmas season draws closer, much like the popular 2004 movie ‘The Polar Express.’