Weekend Box Office Update

Being the only major theatrical release this weekend, it's no surprise that The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey easily claimed the top spot at the box office. The Hobbit earned an estimated $84.7 million, passing The Return of the King's $72.6 million opening back in 2003.

Of course, average ticket prices are higher now than in 2003 and you also have to factor the bump because of 3D ticket sales. Still, $84.7 million is no small number and broke the previous December opening weekend record held by I Am Legend ($77.2 million).

None of the other movies managed to break even the $8 million mark this weekend, but many of these movies being around four or more weeks already. Rise of the Guardians added another $7.4 million to its total, and Lincoln's $7.2 million was enough to help it cross the $100 million mark. It's going to be close, but it looks like Skyfall could break the $300 million mark if Sony decides to keep it in theaters for the rest of the month. Right now, it sits at $272.3 million.

Next week will see multiple wide releases including This is 40, Monsters, Inc. (3D), Jack Reacher, and The Guilt Trip. Here are the top ten results for this weekend:

1. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - $84,775,000
2. Rise of the Guardians - $7,420,000
3. Lincoln - $7,244,000
4. Skyfall - $7,000,000
5. Life of Pi - $5,400,000
6. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 - $5,175,000
7. Wreck-It Ralph - $3,273,000
8. Playing for Keeps - $3,247,000
9. Red Dawn - $2,394,000
10. Silver Linings Playbook - $2,084,000