'Desolation of Smaug' passes $500M at global box office

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" has grossed in estimated $500 million at the global box office in two weeks in release, Hollywood's Variety said Friday.

Directed by Peter Jackson, the movie has grossed $160 million domestically and $340 million internationally as of Thursday.

The movie, based on J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novel took in $73.7 million at the U.S. box office in its opening weekend, Box Office Mojo said.