The Hollywood Outsider – Film and Television Podcast | Reviews An award-winning film and television podcast for the fan in all of us
Well, only one major release before the onslaught of Christmas films…and it set the December record for opening weekend. Peter Jackson’s return to Dungeons & Dragons land ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey‘ opened to a fantastic $84.6 million, upsetting I Am Legend for the all time Dec. opening weekend. It also eclipsed Avatar and the previous Lord of the Rings films’ openings. The film played well across all segments and scored a solid A rating from CinemaScore audiences. With another $138m overseas for a $223m worldwide total thus far, plus holidays to come, expect The Hobbit to walk its joyful, dwarf-loving ass to many millions more before it’s all said and done.
Not much else to talk about at the Box Office as most releases are waiting on this coming weekend and Christmas Day to open. Rise of the Guardians and Lincoln both took in $7m for $71m & $107m totals respectively. Skyfall is STILL in the top 5 six weeks later with $6.5m for a $271m total and the film should end up with $1 billion worldwide by the end of the year. Life of Pi rounded out the top 5 with $5.4m and a $69m total.
For info on this coming weekend’s releases, including Jack Reacher and This Is 40, listen to Ep 72 of The HO: