‘Hobbit’ finale sends ‘Exodus’ fleeing into 2nd spot

LOS ANGELES — Tolkien epic “The Hobbit” worked its magic at the North American box office this weekend, signalling a farewell to the blockbuster fantasy franchise, industry data showed Monday.

The last of six films adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien’s books by Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson, “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” took $54.7 million on its debut weekend in the United States and Canada, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

The success of “The Hobbit” flattened the competition in the final weekend before the Christmas holiday period.

Jeff Goldstein, head of domestic distribution for Warner Bros., said the healthy weekend of moviegoing was a welcome respite after an “upsetting and so disturbing” week.

“Not only did we do business in places that I would expect, like the West Coast, we did business everywhere in the country,” Goldstein said. “We didn’t see that on the prior two ‘Hobbits’.”

Second spot went to “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb”, the third film in the Ben Stiller family comedy franchise based on the popular 1993 children’s book. 

The movie, which sees Stiller reprise his role as the security guard trying to keep a track on exhibits which come to life at the New York Museum of Natural History, took $17.1 million.

In third place was another debutant, “Annie”, the rebooted big-screen adaptation of the famous Broadway musical about the adventures of an orphan girl which also spawned film versions in 1982 and 1999.

The latest version, starring Quvenzhane Wallis in the title role and Jamie Foxx as the tycoon who takes her under his wing, took $15.9 million.

“It was nice shot in the arm,” said Rory Bruer, head of distribution for Sony, who declined to discuss issues related to “The Interview”. ‘’We’re focused on ‘Annie’,” he said.

Ridley Scott’s historical blockbuster “Exodus: Gods and Kings”, starring Christian Bale as Moses, meanwhile fell to fourth spot with $8.1 million.

Another sequel, “Hunger Games: Mockingjay”, slipped to fifth with $7.9 million, pushing its earnings to $289.2 million after five weeks.

Jumping four spots to sixth was Reese Witherspoon drama “Wild” about a woman grappling personal demons on a gruelling three-month solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. 

The film, which has vaulted Witherspoon into contention for best actress honors in Hollywood’s awards season, took $4.1 million.

Seventh spot was occupied by Disney animated hit “Big Hero 6” with $3.64 million.

In eighth place was Chris Rock’s “Top Five” about a comedian trying to become a serious actor while grappling with his reality TV star fiancée about broadcasting their wedding. The film took $3.6 million on its second weekend.

New entrant “P.K.”, an Indian comedy from Bollywood star Aamir Khan, was in ninth with $3.57 million.

Rounding out the top 10 with $3.5 million was “Penguins of Madagascar”.

Heading into one of Hollywood’s most lucrative weekends of the year, the Christmas box office will be without its top comedy option in “The Interview”, directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. The film had been expected to take in about $25-30 million.

With one major release now out of the mix, that will leave more room for the Disney musical “Into the Woods”, Angelina Jolie’s World War II tale “Unbroken” and “The Hobbit”.

“There’s a huge opportunity there,” said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for box-office tracker Rentrak. “There’s enough product out there to give it a very satisfying, Christmas holiday leading into the New Year. Yeah, we are down one film, but it’s a nice mix of films out there.”