It opened with $84.8 million, smashing the December record previously held by "I Am Legend," which opened with $77.2 million in 2007.
In second place was "Rise of the Guardians," which brought in $7.4 million. It was followed by "Lincoln," "Skyfall" and "Life of Pi."
The top 10 films of the weekend were:
1. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," $84.8 million ($138.2 million international).
2. "Rise of the Guardians," $7.4 million ($20.1 million international).
3. "Lincoln," $7.2 million.
4. "Skyfall," $7 million ($12.2 million international).
5. "Life of Pi," $5.4 million ($11.5 million international).
6. "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 2," $5.2 million ($13 million international).
7. "Wreck-It Ralph," $3.3million ($4.7 million international).
8. "Playing for Keeps," $3.2 million ($1.4 million international).
9. "Red Dawn," $2.4 million.
10. "Silver Linings Playbook," $2 million ($370,000 international).
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
