"The Hobbit" Tops the American Box Office, Raking in $84.7 Million in Opening Week

"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" opened to high expectations last week and has not disappointed. Breaking records for December openings, it has made a solid $84.7 million after opening in 4,045 theaters across North America, which averages out to $20.9 thousand dollars per theater.

"An Unexpected Journey" is the first film in Peter Jackson's second Middle Earth trilogy, a three-part prequel to "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

"Rise of the Guardians" has maintained its second place spot from last week, collecting an additional $7.4 million to its total earnings of $71.3 million after playing for four weeks.

"Lincoln" made a hop and a skip up to third place from fourth last week. Since opening six weeks ago, the Spielberg-directed biopic has raked in a total of $107.8 million, with $7.2 million from this week alone.

The real surprise in the box office this week was the unexpected retreat of "Skyfall" to fourth place. This week, the highest-earning Bond flick added $7 million to its total revenues.

"Life of Pi," remaining in fifth place, earned $5.4 million this week. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2" continues to slide, settling in at sixth place this week from third last week. Its total earnings stand at $276.8 million.

"Wreck-It Ralph" is in seventh place again, having made $3.2 million this week. "Playing for Keeps," in its second week in theaters, has fell back from sixth to eighth place, also adding $3.2 million to its total earnings.

In ninth place is "Red Dawn," which opened four weeks ago to some unfavorable reviews; it made $2.3 million this week. The critically acclaimed rom-com "Silver Linings Playbook" joins the ranks of the top ten earners, albeit at the bottom of the totem pole, collecting $2 million this week.