The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Tops – Biff Bam Pop’s Weekend Box Office Wrap-Up Report

It wasn’t a particularly thrilling weekend at the box office, even with the release of a big tentpole film and a franchise with a familiar character. Here’s what went down.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug debut at the top of the box office, but could only muster up $73.6 million, less than the first film’s $84 million opening last year. The ho-hum response to that film no doubt played into the somewhat lacklustre results, even though critics are saying Smaug is a superior film. I’m guessing that this one will play out like Star Wars: Attack of The Clones – a significantly lesser North American gross this time out, but the franchise will rebound with the third and final film in the series.

Find out how the rest of the weekend turned out after the jump!
As for the rest of the top five, Frozen held strong for second place, bringing in $22 million. Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas couldn’t break-out this weekend, debuting in third place with just $16 million. Catching Fire hit fourth place with $13 million, while Thor: The Dark World closed things out in fifth with $2.7 million.

So, to recap, here were our predictions:

1) The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – $75 million
2) Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas – $30 million
3) Frozen – $24 million
4) Catching Fire – $15 million
5) Thor: The Dark World – $4 million

And here’s how the weekend turned out:

1) The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – $73.6 million
2) Frozen – $22 million
3) Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas – $16 million
4) Catching Fire – $13 million
5) Thor: The Dark World – $2.7 million

Next week sees the release of American Hustle, Anchorman 2, Walking With Dinosaurs and Saving Mr. Banks. Be sure to check back on Friday to see our predictions!