Middle-Earth continued to be the place to be this weekend, as The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey held onto the top spot at the box office for the second week in a row. Mind you, it did see a significant drop-off week to week, down 56.6% with $36.5 million. However, the film has already grossed $149 million in North America so there’s no real downside for the film at the moment.
Debuting in second place in Jack Reacher with $15 million. While reviews have been strong, with Tom Cruise as its star, it should have done far, far better. Cruise will be lucky if this one makes it to $100 million.
New in third is Judd Apatow’s This Is 40, which failed to find an audience, grossing just $12 million. Both Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann shine in ensemble films, but this showing and the so-so reviews demonstrate that when it comes to box office, they don’t have much drawing power.
Rise Of The Guardians continues to hang in the top five, bringing in $5.9 million to land at fourth, while Lincoln closes out the top five with $5.6 million.
So, to recap, here were our predictions:
1) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – $50 million
2) Jack Reacher – $18 million
3) This Is 40 – $15 million
4) Monster In 3D – $11 million
5) Rise Of The Guardians – $8 million
And here’s how the weekend turned out:
1) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – $36.5 million
2) Jack Reacher – $15 million
3) This Is 40 – $12 million
4) Rise Of The Guardians – $5.9 million
5) Lincoln– $5.6 million
Next weekend sees Django Unchained, Les Miserables and Parental Guidance unchained for the holidays. Check back on Friday to see how we think the weekend will turn out!
