How well did "The Hobbit" do in its first weekend at the box office? It made nearly 11.5 times what second-place finisher "Rise of the Guardians" pulled in. The Associated Press reports that its $84.8 million was "a record-setting opening better than the three previous "Lord of the Rings" films."

From The AP:

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," $84.8 million ($138.2 million international). (Review by The News-Herald's Mark Meszoros: 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' has familiar ring to it)
2. "Rise of the Guardians," $7.4 million ($20.1 million international). (Review by The AP's Todd McCarthy: Animated 'Rise of the Guardians' overly busy, should appeal to kids)
3. "Lincoln," $7.2 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Lincoln,' powered by Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal, engrossingly brings to life crucial bit of presidential history)
4. "Skyfall," $7 million ($12.2 million international). (Review by Meszoros: New Bond film 'Skyfall' almost lives up to all that buzz)
5. "Life of Pi," $5.4 million ($11.5 million international). (Review by The AP's David Germain: Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi' is inspiring 3-D art)
6. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2," $5.2 million ($13 million international). (Review by Meszoros: 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2,' although still painful for non Twi-hards, has welcome sense of humor)
7. "Wreck-It Ralph," $3.3million ($4.7 million international). (Review by The AP's Justin Lowe: Animated 'Wreck-It Ralph' has fun celebrating video games old and new)
8. "Playing for Keeps," $3.2 million ($1.4 million international). (Review by The AP's Christy Lemire: Gerard Butler stars in rom-com 'Playing for Keeps,' one of year's worst movies)
9. "Red Dawn," $2.4 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Red Dawn' remake falters, despite solid effort by star Chris Hemsworth)
10. "Silver Linings Playbook," $2 million ($370,000 international). (Review by Lemire: Charming 'Silver Linings Playbook' has great performances from Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence)

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

James Bond and some animated characters have overtaken the vampires at the weekend box office. Have all the Twi-hards seen "Breaking Dawn" already?

From The Associated Press:

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. "Skyfall," $11 million ($20.3 million). (Review by The News-Herald's Meszoros: New Bond film 'Skyfall' almost lives up to all that buzz)
2. "Rise of the Guardians," $10.5 million ($26 million international). (Review by The AP's Todd McCarthy: Animated 'Rise of the Guardians' overly busy, should appeal to kids)
3. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2," $9.2 million ($23.5 million international). (Review by Meszoros: 'Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2,' although still painful for non Twi-hards, has welcome sense of humor)
4. "Lincoln," $9.1 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Lincoln,' powered by Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal, engrossingly brings to life crucial bit of presidential history)
5. "Life of Pi," $8.3 million ($23.8 million international). (Review by The AP's David Germain: Ang Lee's 'Life of Pi' is inspiring 3-D art)
6. "Playing for Keeps," $6 million ($500,000 international). (Review by The AP's Christy Lemire: Gerard Butler stars in rom-com 'Playing for Keeps,' one of year's worst movies)
7. "Wreck-It Ralph," $4.9 million ($5.8 million international). (Review by The AP's Justin Lowe: Animated 'Wreck-It Ralph' has fun celebrating video games old and new)
8. "Red Dawn," $4.3 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Red Dawn' remake falters, despite solid effort by star Chris Hemsworth)
9. "Flight," $3.1 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Flight' directed right into the ground by Robert Zemeckis)
10. "Killing Them Softly," $2.7 million ($1.4 million international). (Review by Lemire: Brad Pitt’s strong in ‘Killing Them Softly,’ but crime drama lacks subtlety)

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

The latest James Bond film easily took first place at the weekend box office. It will be interesting to see how it performs next week when "Lincoln" opens nationwide.

From The Associated Press:

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Hollywood.com. Where available, latest international numbers are also included. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. "Skyfall," $87.8 million. (Review by The News-Herald's Mark Meszoros: New Bond film 'Skyfall' almost lives up to all that buzz)
2. "Wreck-It Ralph," $33.1 million. (Review by The AP's Justin Lowe: Animated 'Wreck-It Ralph' has fun celebrating video games old and new)
3. "Flight," $15.1 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Flight' directed right into the ground by Robert Zemeckis)
4. "Argo," $6.7 million. (Review by Meszoros: With stellar espionage drama 'Argo,' Ben Affleck does it again as director)
5. "Taken 2," $4 million. (Review by Meszoros: Liam Neeson helps make 'Taken 2' another guilty pleasure)
6. "Here Comes the Boom," $2.6 million
7. "Cloud Atlas," $2.53 million. (Review by Meszoros: 'Cloud Atlas' ambitious, mostly satisfying epic with strong work from Tom Hanks, Halle Berry)
8. "Pitch Perfect," $2.5 million. (Review by The AP's Christy Lemire: Anna Kendrick helps make 'Pitch Perfect' infectiously catchy)
9. "The Man with the Iron Fists," $2.49 million.
10. "Hotel Transylvania," $2.4 million. (Review by The AP's Michael Rechtshaffen: 'Hotel Transylvania' is frighteningly unfunny stuff)

-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl