'The Hobbit' Shatters December Opening Record on Box Office
Movie

Debuting with $84.6 million, 'An Unexpected Journey' becomes the biggest grosser ever for a December release, breaking the record previously held by 'I Am Legend'.

AceShowbiz - "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" sets the bar high on December box office with its record-breaking opening. The Middle Earth tale shatters this week's competition on the North American box office by scoring $84.6 million, which is the biggest three-day weekend gross ever for a December release.

Overseas, the first chapter of the Peter Jackson-directed fantasy trilogy has already raked in $223 million, beating Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" which collected $125.9 million in 2003. "The Hobbit" breaks the record previously held by Will Smith's "I Am Legend" which debuted to $77.2 million during the first weekend in December 2007.

Receiving a glowing "A" CinemaScore, "The Hobbit" attracts to 58|percent| audience over the age of 25. Around 57|percent| of the ticketbuyers are males. Commenting on the success, Warner Bros. Pictures president of domestic distribution, Dan Fellman, says, "It is great to see Peter's fans return, along with a new generation of that is embracing Middle Earth. We expect a long and exciting run."

Securing the runner-up spot is family film "Rise of the Guardians" which picks up $7.1 million for a total cume of $71.3 million in its fourth week. Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln", meanwhile, enters the third place with $7 million, dropping less than 19|percent| from last week.

After returning to the top spot last week, "Skyfall" falls to the fourth place with an estimated $6.5 million. In its sixth week of playing Stateside, the James Bond movie bags a total gross of $272.3 million. Rounding up the top five is Ang Lee's "Life of Pi" which adds $5.4 million for its $69.5 domestic cume.

Top Ten Movies at Box Office for December 14 - 16:

  1. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" - $84.6 million
  2. "Rise of the Guardians" - $7.1 million
  3. "Lincoln" - $7 million
  4. "Skyfall" - $6.5 million
  5. "Life of Pi" - $5.4 million
  6. "The Twilight Saga's Breaking Dawn Part II" - $5.1 million
  7. "Wreck-It Ralph" - $3.2 million
  8. "Playing for Keeps" - $3.1 million
  9. "Red Dawn" - $2.4 million
  10. "Silver Linings Playbook" - $2.1 million

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