Website of the YearThe Hobbit has raked in more than $2 million in its opening weekend at New Zealand cinemas.
But it could not top blockbuster franchises such as Twilight, Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings in the list of most successful New Zealand openings.
The much-anticipated Middle Earth epic by Peter Jackson took in $2,035,743 on 203 screens between December 13 and 16, increasing its total earnings at the New Zealand box-office to $2,822,788.
That was enough to put the film at number seven on the list of top all-time opening weekends.
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Advertise with NZME.Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part Two) is number one with $2.92 million, while The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is at two with $2.85 million.
Two blockbusters have had more successful openings in 2012, with Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 chalking up $2,240,887 and The Avengers taking $2,038,157 amid a record global release.
The Hobbit far eclipsed its competition, with aging James Bond film Skyfall coming in at number two with $279,989.
It earlier set a record for biggest non-holiday Wednesday opening ever, taking in $782,695 in the 24 hours after its release.
Top opening weekends 2012
1. Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2, $2,240,887
2. The Avengers, $2,038,157
3. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, $2,035,743
4. The Dark Knight Rises, $1,969,420
5. Skyfall, $1,868,532
6. The Hunger Games, $1,625,729
7. The Adventures of Tintin, $1,284,098
8. Ted, $1,217,618
9. Taken 2, $1,195,739
10. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, $1,099,007