The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies topped the box office charts once again with an outstanding $41.4 million in its second weekend in theaters.
Picking up $168.5 million domestically thus far, the New Line and MGM film will ultimately cross $1 billion for it has already raked up $573.6 million worldwide. Following in second and third place is Angelina Jolie’s World War II drama Unbroken and Rob Marshall’s musical Into the Woods. Both newcomers debuted on Christmas Day and have triumphed since, grossing $31.7 million and $31.2 million, respectively.
“There were a lot of debuts that were way bigger than expected, and it speaks to the strength of the market at this time of year and how people go to the movies almost as a reflex,” said Phil Contrino, vice president and chief analyst at BoxOffice.com.
Unbroken, based on Laura Hillenbrand’s best-selling biography, stars Jack O’Connell as World War II hero Louis Zamperini. The film, which skewed slightly more towards females (52 percent) and moviegoers over the age of 25 (72 percent), scored an A minus CinemaScore.
“I don’t like to think of this as a war film. It’s much more than that. It’s an amazing inspirational story, and that’s why it is playing so well in middle America. I put on Fox News last night and Greta Van Susteren was doing a whole segment on Louis,” said Universal domestic distribution chief Nikki Rocco, who praised Jolie for her work.
Into the Woods, the adaptation based on Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway musical, stars Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, James Corden, Chris Pine and Johnny Depp. The film, according to Disney distribution chief Dave Hollis, “appealed to everyone” and achieved a B CinemaScore.
“Fifty-one percent of our business came from adults, 38 percent from families and 11 percent from teens. It’s very encouraging to see that kind of balance,” said Hollis.
Meanwhile, Sony Pictures’ R-rated comedy The Interview managed to take in $2.8 million across 331 independent theaters, despite the recent controversy. The film, which was initially pulled from theaters after terrorist threats were made in regards to its premiere, was ultimately revived to get limited release. It simultaneously debuted on digital platforms such as YouTube, Google Play, and on Apple’s iTunes, where it performed much better. The movie has been rented or purchased online more than 2 million times, earning $15 million through Saturday, Sony Pictures says.
“The fact that we were able to get it done and released in so many formats, and made it happen despite the odds, is something we feel good about,” said Rory Bruer, Sony Pictures president of worldwide distribution.
In fourth place is Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb with $20.6 million, for a cumulative total of $55.3 million. Rounding out the top five is Sony’s Annie with $16.6 million, 5 percent more than its initial debut. The musical has gathered $45.8 million since premiering on December 19th.
Top 10 Films at Weekend Box Office: December 26-28
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies – $41.4 million
- Unbroken – $31.7 million
- Into the Woods – $31.2 million
- Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb – $20.6 million
- Annie – $16.6 million
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 – $10.0 million
- The Gambler – $9.3 million
- The Imitation Game – $7.9 million
- Exodus: Gods and Kings – $6.8 million
- Wild – $5.4 million
