LOS ANGELES, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," starring Martin Freeman and Ian McKellen, took in $31.455 million to lead the box office for the second weekend.
The sequel raked in $73.675 million last weekend.
The Tolkien epic edged out "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues," starring Will Ferrell, Paul Rudd and Steve Carell, which took in $26.776 million for the weekend.
All studio estimates of gross North American receipts are via Box Office Mojo.
"Frozen (2013)" was third with $19.163 million; "American Hustle" fourth with $19.1 million; "Saving Mr. Banks" fifth with $9.321 million; "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" sixth with $8.75 million; "Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas" seventh with $8.5 million; "Walking with Dinosaurs" eighth with $7.3 million; "Dhoom 3" ninth with $3.305 million.
"Thor: The Dark World" rounded out the top 10 with $1.328 million.
Read More
- 'Hobbit' sequel rakes in $73 million in first weekend in U.S. theaters
- 'Frozen' freezes out competition
- 'Catching Fire' tops U.S. box office with an estimated $74.5M
- 'Hunger Games' sequel catches fire at the box office
- 'Thor' still occupies Valhalla at the box office
- 'Thor' pounds rivals to win weekend box office
