Hobbit Desolation of Smaug Movie Update: Hobbit Sequel Gets First Place at Box Office
The weekend box office reports are in, and -- no surprise -- Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug has trounced the competition in a contest that almost didn't seem to have a chance of being won in the first place, especially considering the numbers of all of the movies that were in the top 10 box office draws this weekend.
According to The Los Angeles Times, the Peter Jackson-directed vehicle raked in an estimated $73.7 million in its opening weekend. While the number itself is impressive, it still fell short about $6 million of its projected opening numbers. The original Hobbit opened almost a year ago to the day and enjoyed an $84.6-million weekend, making it the best December opening ever. It went on to earn $1 billion worldwide.
The adventure-fantasy film, starring Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, is the second installment of the big-screen trilogy adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's famed novel. Desolation of Smaug tells the story of Bilbo Baggins and the dwarves as they continue their epic quest to slay a dragon and reclaim a homeland.
The heartwarming Disney film Frozen came in at No.2, taking home $22.2 million.
In its first weekend in theaters, Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas took the No.3 spot, earning $16 million.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Thor: The Dark World rounded out the top 5, making $13.2 million and $2.7 million respectively.
Here's a complete rundown of the Wednesday-Sunday estimates:
1. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: $73.7 million
2. Frozen: $22.2 million
3. Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas: $16 million
4. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: $13.2 million
5. Thor: The Dark World: $2.7 million
6. Out of the Furnace: $2.3 million
7. Delivery Man: $1.9 million
8. Philomena: $1.76 million
9. The Book Thief: $1.67 million
10. Homefront: $1.64 million