Box Office: Frontrunner "The Hobbit" Trumps Box Office Newcomers

For the second week in a row, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," the first in the trilogy, has maintained its top position in the box office in North America. Its weekly earnings reached $36.7 million, bringing its total revenue up to $149.8 million. Internationally, it has made an impressive $433.9 million.

"An Unexpected Journey" from director Peter Jackson is just the first part of a trilogy to precede "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. The film's commercial success has more than covered its $180 million budget.

In second place this week is newcomer "Jack Reacher," which only earned Paramount Pictures $15.6 in its opening week. The thriller stars Tom Cruise, Robert Duvall, Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins and was directed and written by Christopher McQuarrie.

In third place in the box office is "This Is 40," Judd Apatow's unofficial follow-up to blockbuster "Knocked Up." The film, which made $12 million in its first week in theaters, revolves around a married couple experiencing the anxiety and malaise of hitting that terrifying milestone: 40-years-old.

"Rise of the Guardians" has fallen back two slots, coming in at fifth place. It made $5.9 million this week. The Spielberg biopic "Lincoln" has also fallen back two places, but adds $5.6 to its total revenues. "Lincoln" has been nominated for 7 Golden Globes. The award ceremony is just around the corner on January 13.

Seth Rogen's "The Guilt Trip" is in sixth place and has made a solid $5.3 million in its first week. Rogen stars in the film with Adam Scott, Barbara Streisand and Colin Hanks. The 3D release of "Monsters, Inc.," which made $5 million this week, falls in seventh place. The original film was released in 2001.

In eighth place is "Skyfall," which adds this week's $4.7 million to its total revenue of $297.7 million dollars. Don't feel too bad, the film had a record breaking opening weekend, and is in its seventh week playing in North American theaters. Ang Lee's "Life of Pi" made $3.8 million in its fifth week in theaters. And finally, the last installment of the Twilight saga, "Breaking Dawn - Part 2" has continued to slide: it maintains its tenth place position this week and made only $2.6 million.