Not much changed today, other than, somehow as expected, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey jumped ahead of Les Miserables to take #1. Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings was down 11% from Wednesday to an estimated $10.1 million, for a $189.8 million gross in 14 days. Miserables dropped an alarming 25% to $9.2 million, for a solid three-day gross of $39.4 million. Unless the latter picks up significantly on Friday, it would seem almost a foregone conclusion that Hobbit will win the weekend. Incorporating recent trajectories, Hobbit is still on pace for a weekend in the low-to-mid 30's millions. $30 million now looks like the ceiling for Miserables.
Django Unchained did improve from yesterday's drop, down a light 17% to $8.3 million, for a still-solid $33.3 million gross in three days. Unchained looks well-positioned to see a weekend of at least $25 million, though it wouldn't be surprising if it wound up slightly higher than that. Parental Guidance also stabilized nicely, easing just 4% from yesterday to $4.1 million, for a $14.7 million gross in three days. The Billy Crystal and Bette Midler comedy is now pacing for an opening around $15 million, though it could wind up a bit higher.
The rest of the films were once again, a mixed bag. Jack Reacher was down 7% to an estimated $3.6 million ($30.9 million in one week), while This is 40 was off 5% to $3.1 million ($23.9 million in one week). Lincoln was down a scant 2% to $2.1 million ($124.5 million in 49 days), Monsters Inc. 3D was up 17% to eighth place and $1.9 million ($12.1 million in 10 days), and The Guilt Trip was up 2% to an estimated $1.7 million ($14.5 million gross in 10 days), but was down to ninth. Rise of the Guardians rounded out the Top 10 with a 11% increase to an estimated $1.6 million ($85.5 million in 37 days).
Outside the Top 10, Skyfall was off just a scant 1% to an estimated $1.3 million ($285 million in 49 days), while Life of Pi was off 6% to $1 million ($80.9 million in 37 days). The Silver Linings Playbook increased 7% to $968,000 ($23.2 million in 46 days), while Cirque Du Soleil: Worlds Away was up 1% to an estimated $658,000 ($5 million in one week).
