Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug tops the UK and US Christmas box office

Peter Jackson's sequel took $92m over Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Jess Denham
Friday 27 December 2013 15:34 GMT
Comments
Knives out: Martin Freeman in a scene from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Knives out: Martin Freeman in a scene from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The title of Christmas box office number one has gone to The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug after the second instalment of the JRR Tolkien fantasy franchise beat Disney's Frozen to remain in the UK and US top spot for 25 December.

Despite solid competition from American Hustle, The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty and Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, Peter Jackson's sequel to The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, starring Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, took $92 million over Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Is Bilbo Baggins a girl?

In the blockbuster's first week of release, it raked in a huge $318 million in global ticket sales, with mixed critical reviews causing little dent in takings.

Ben Stiller's Walter Mitty was in third place behind The Snow Queen-inspired Frozen, while Will Ferrell's comic reprise of Ron Burgundy in Anchorman 2 came fourth. Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper's reunion crime drama, American Hustle, was in fifth place for the festive period.

Completing the top ten at the UK and US box office [takings combined] were Philomena, The Railway Man, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 and Dhoom 3.

One notable flop was pop star Justin Bieber's Believe concert movie, which entered the US box office in just 14th place, despite trending worldwide on Twitter.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in