THE HOBBIT Takes Weekend Box Office with $36.7 Million

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Peter Jackon's THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY took the top spot at the domestic box office weekend, grossing an addition $36.7 million, Rentrak has announced. The film has now earned nearly $150 million since its release just last weekend.

THE HOBBIT was theatrically released in international markets on December 13 domestically on Friday, December 14. On its first day of release in the United States, THE HOBBIT earned $37.5 million.

Though it's proving to be a box office smash for Jackson, the film has received mixed reviews so far; see BWW's December 20th Review Roundup.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey follows title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. The film stars Martin Freeman, and Ian McKellan - it is the first in what is set to be a trilogy.

Rounding out the top five earners for the weekend of Dec. 21-23 were Paramount's JACK REACHER with Tom Cruise, which netted $15.6 million, Universal's Judd Apatow-directed THIS IS 40 with $12 million, and Paramount's RISE OF THE GUARDIANS with $5.9 million. Disney's LINCOLN came in fifth with $5.6 million.

Rentrak's Domestic Box Office Estimates: Weekend of Dec 21-23

1) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Warner Bros.
This Weekend: $36,705,000; Total: $149,858,000
2) Jack Reacher, Paramount
This Weekend; $15,600,000; Total: $15,600,000
3) This Is 40, Universal
This Weekend, $12,030,690; Total: $12,030,690
4) Rise Of The Guardians, Paramount
This Weekend: $5,900,000; Total: $79,694,230
5) Lincoln, Disney
This Weekend: $5,633,000; Total :$116,781,000
6) The Guilt Trip, Paramount
This Weekend: $5,390,000; Total: $7,420,614
7) Monsters, Inc. 3-D, Disney
This Weekend: $5,040,000; Total: $6,525,000
8) Skyfall, Sony
This Weekend: $4,700,000; Total: $279,792,000
9) Life Of Pi, 20th Century Fox
This Weekend: $3,800,000; Total: $76,156,244
10) Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2, Lionsgate
This Weekend: $2,600,000; Total: $281,605,734