A total of four new releases stormed the North American Box Office to battle it out for the top spots. “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” outgunned the competition this past weekend with an estimated $56.2 million. The final film in the popular series based on the novel The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien, following An Unexpected Journey (2012) and The Desolation of Smaug (2013) could not beat the records made by its predecessors. “An Unexpected Journey” had an $84.6 million three-day opening in December 2012, and its sequel “The Desolation of Smaug” opened with $73.6 million over the December 2013 weekend. The third installment did however take the crown as the top earning flick over the weekend.
Check out the Final Trailer Released for ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies’
‘Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies’ Wins Big At The Box Office
“The Battle of the Five Armies” brings to an epic conclusion the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield and the Company of Dwarves. Having reclaimed their homeland from the Dragon Smaug, the Company has unwittingly unleashed a deadly force into the world. Enraged, Smaug rains his fiery wrath down upon the defenseless men, women and children of Lake-town. Obsessed above all else with his reclaimed treasure, Thorin sacrifices friendship and honor to hoard it as Bilbo’s frantic attempts to make him see reason drive the Hobbit towards a desperate and dangerous choice. But there are even greater dangers ahead. Unseen by any but the Wizard Gandalf, the great enemy Sauron has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide – unite or be destroyed. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends in the epic Battle of the Five Armies, as the future of Middle-earth hangs in the balance.
‘Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies’
As for the rest of the newcomers this week, Ben Stiller’s “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” had to settle for second place with an estimated $17.3 million. The musical “Annie” landed at third place in a very close race for second with approximately $16.3 million. Last week’s top dog “Exodus: Gods and Kings” took a huge tumble to fourth place with an estimated $8.1 million. The top 5 is rounded up with “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1” in fifth with $7.8 million in its fifth week at the box office. The movie based on the final book in The Hunger Games trilogy, written by Suzanne Collins has raked in a total of $639,9 worldwide.
Quick look at the top-grossing pictures in North American theaters, courtesy of Box Office Mojo:
- “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” – $56.2 million
- “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” – $17.3 million
- “Annie” – $16.3 million
- “Exodus: Gods and Kings” – $ 8.1 million
- “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1” – $7.8 million
- “Wild” – $4.2 million
- “Top Five” – $3.6 million
- “Big Hero 6” – $3.6 million
- “Penguins of Madagascar” – $3.5 million
- “PK” – $3.5 million
