Gandalf in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Photo/supplied
Gandalf in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Photo/supplied
The 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 PeterJackson 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.
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.
