As expected, the final installment of Peter Jackson's middle-earth trilogy debuted at #1. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies opened to $54.7 million over the weekend ($14,122 per-venue average), for a $89.1 million pick-up since its debut on Wednesday. In comparison, The Desolation of Smaug earned $73.6 million back last December. But, considering this opened on a Wednesday, it is not a direct apples-to-apples comparison (Smaug had $86.1 million by its fifth day, however). Most analysts were projecting about $10 million less for the five-day stretch, so this is still a very strong start by all means. With two weeks of Christmas vacation coming up, Battle of Five Armies is set to rake in a lot of cash. Whether or not it can catch its predecessors' grosses remains to be seen as of now. But (barring an unexpected huge debut from Into the Woods), Armies should hold the top spot for the next two weekends as well.Overseas, the penultimate chapter in Jackson's trilogy is already doing massive business. As of now, it has already earned over $270 million overseas so far ($350 million worldwide in just over a week). At this rate, there is a realistic chance this closes above $1 billion worldwide.
It was a busy weekend in theaters, and unfortunately, not all movies survived. And that meant Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb under-performed in second place. Another threequel and final installment (of a franchise), it opened to $17.1 million (minor $4,518 per-venue average). Analysts projected this to come out close to $30 million for the weekend. In comparison, the original Night at the Museum opened to $30 million over the same pre-Christmas weekend 8 years ago. That being said, waiting 5 1/2 years for a sequel does seem a little too long. Many were thinking (I was also) that this being the final performance of the late Robin Williams would give this a boost. But, franchise fatigue definitely has set in here. Plus, Ben Stiller isn't much of a draw as he used to be. However, family movies usually see 5-6 times their opening weekends over the holiday stretch, so don't be surprised if this ends up tipping past $100 million by the time its finished. Reviews were mixed and the CinemaScore was a decent "B+". The budget was $120 million, so it looks like this will finish as a disappointment regardless (overseas probably will save it).
Faring somewhat better in third was the musical remake Annie. The other major event in theaters pulled in a decent $15.9 million ($5,090 per-venue average [better than Museum due to playing in 600 less theaters]). This was in line with expectations, though with a strong marketing campaign, one should wonder why this didn't earn at least a little bit more. We do need to keep in mind of Sony's recent news-blowing hack and that Annie was leaked online as a result of this (but impact on box office business was minimal as families usually aren't into hacking). Reviews were negative, but audiences were more positive ("A-" CinemaScore). With kids off for Christmas, the holidays should benefit this one well also. Need I remind you, Yogi Bear opened to $16 million in 2010 and ended up just above the $100 million mark by the end of its run (despite atrocious reviews). Annie also appears to be in better financial shape as the budget here was $65 million.With Middle Earth back in full force, there didn't apparently seem to be much room for last week's winner Exodus: Gods and Kings. Ridley Scott's critically-panned Biblical epic fell 66% from last week to $8.1 million, for a weak $39.1 million in 10 days. Even with the holidays likely to help it, this won't make it to $100 million. In fact, $75 million may now be a stretch. Overseas is solid so far early on, but any profit Fox will make on this will be marginal.
Surprisingly continuing to hold on strong, The Hunger Games - Mockingjay: Part I made it five-straight weeks in the Top 5, and was off just 38% to $7.9 million. In one month of release, Mockingjay has earned a strong $289.4 million. While still running far behind the previous two installments, the first part of the final book adaptation is still looking to keep playing over the rest of the holidays, and is looking to finish in the $330 million vicinity.
Expanding to over 1,000 locations, Wild managed to jump up to $4.1 million, enough to take sixth place for the weekend. Featuring Golden Globe nominee Reese Witherspoon (she also is likely to receive an Oscar nom), the true story-based drama is looking to continue playing through the next couple weeks and beyond into the heart of awards season.
The rest of the Top 10 was separated by just $170,000. Big Hero 6 surprisingly held its own in the face of strong competition, off just 40% to $3.65 million. The Disney Animation hit is at $190.5 million in seven weeks of release and should continue to pull in solid business over the next couple of weeks (though fellow Disney release Into the Woods could take away some screens).
Chris Rock's Top Five didn't quite have the staying power it was expected to have, off 48% in its second weekend despite adding 300 theaters. The critically-adored comedy earned $3.59 million, for a decent $12.5 million in 10 days. This should pick up steam in the coming days, though its not going to be a huge earner by all means.
Bollywood flick P.K. opened in less than 300 theaters and broke into ninth place with $3.57 million (strong $13,108 per-venue average). It has earned nearly $30 million worldwide so far. It is currently unknown how it will play out from here.
Dropping from third to tenth in its fourth weekend is Penguins of Madagascar, which was clearly hit by the one-two-three punch of Hobbit-Museum-Annie. DreamWorks Animation's spin-off was down 51% to $3.5 million, for a disappointing $64.1 million in 26 days. No new cartoons opening in the next couple weeks should allow it to hold well over Christmas, but $75 million is looking to be the ceiling here. DreamWorks is in major need of a win next year (two of the titles relocated to new days only leaving Home releasing in March for the studio in 2015).
Well, that's it. Christmas week will bring Into the Woods, Unbroken and The Gambler, all of which are looking to decent business. Will any of them be able to challenge The Hobbit?
