The Hobbit Makes An Unexpected Gross: Biff Bam Pop’s Weekend Box Office Wrap-Up Report

Colour all of us here at Biff Bam Pop just a little bit surprised with how the weekend turned out. Sure, the surefire hit of the holiday season claimed the top spot at predicted, but if these numbers hold up, and there’s no reason to doubt they won’t, it looks as though Peter Jackson’s return to middle-earth under performed on its opening weekend. Here’s what went down.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey opened at number one with a very strong $84 million. That’s nothing to turn our noses at. But, and of course there’s a but, with the hype and the legacy of the Lord of the Rings films theoretically in its favour, it’s very surprising that the film didn’t make at least $100 million in its first three days. Perhaps it’s the running time…the myriad of methods one can view the film in…whatever the case, I think more than a few Hobbit/Tolkien fanatics are going to be a little let down with the grosses. Still, its $37 million Friday take home was the biggest December opening day record, which is impressive indeed. Look for the The Hobbit to hold steady over the next few weekends.

Find out how the rest of the weekend turned out after the jump!
While nowhere near a hit, Rise Of The Guardians managed to claim second place with $7.4 million. Lincoln grabbed third place with $7.2 million as it crossed the $100 million mark. Skyfall dropped to fourth with $7 million while Life Of Pi closed things out in fifth with $5.4 million.

So, to recap, here were our predictions:

1) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: $125.5 million
2) Lincoln: $6.5 million
3) Rise of the Guardians:  $5.5 million
4) Life of Pi: $5.0 million
5) Skyfall: $5.0 million

And here’s how things turned out:

1) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: $84.5 million
2) Rise Of The Guardians: $7.4 million
3) Lincoln:  $7.2 million
4) Skyfall: $7.2 million
5) Life of Pi: $5.4 million

Next weekend sees Monsters, Inc in 3D and The Guilt Trip try to take on The Hobbit. Check back on Friday to see our predictions!