Hobbit hobbles competition with massive $103m take
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LOS ANGELES (AFP) - The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, a prequel to the blockbuster Lord Of The Rings series, earned a massive US$84.8 million (S$103.4 million) - one of the biggest debuts of the year, industry trackers said on Sunday.
Internationally, the film earned US$138.2 million, for a worldwide estimated total of US$223 million, including a record-breaking US$15.1 million from IMAX theatres worldwide, according to New Line Cinema, which said it was the biggest opening for any Lord Of The Rings film.
Box office watchers said it was the biggest December opening in motion picture history.
The film stars Martin Freeman of British TV's Sherlock fame and Ian McKellen, reprising his role as Gandalf the Grey, and was directed by Peter Jackson based on the classic books by J.R.R. Tolkien.
