In a spirited session, New Line/MGM/Warner Bros’ The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey ruled in its third weekend on an estimated $32.9m. Skyfall crossed $1bn worldwide (see separate story) and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures set a new company record for a calendar year.

The Hobbit edged out Quentin Tarantino’s newcomer Django Unchained (pictured) to hold on to top spot. The fantasy saga has grossed $222.7m to date and approximately $687m worldwide following a number one international holdover.

Django Unchained opened second through The Weinstein Company on $30.7m over three days, rising to $64m since the Tuesday [26] launch. Sony holds international rights to the slave revenge fantasy, which stars Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Kerry Washington, Leonardo DiCaprio and Samuel L Jackson.

Working Title/Universal’s Les Misérables debuted third on $28m rising to $67.5m since Tuesday’s debut. The stage musical adaptation stars Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Samantha Barks and Eddie Redmayne.

Paramount’s comedy Parental Guidance arrived in fourth on $14.8m and has grossed $29.6m since it opened on Tuesday.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures said that on Friday [28] the company passed the $1.523bn domestic gross posted in 2003 to make 2012 the highest grossing year in its history.

TWC expanded Silver Linings Playbook in its seventh weekend from 371 to 745 theatres and brought in $4.1m for a $27.4m running total.

In its second weekend Annapurna Pictures’ Zero Dark Thirty grossed a further $315,000 through Sony Pictures as the promising tally climbed to $1.4m.

Focus Features opened Gus van Sant’s drama Promised Land with Matt Damon, Frances McDormand and John Krasinski on $190,000 from 25 sites. Miscarriage of justice documentary West Of Memphis opened through SPC on $13,900 from five venues.

Next weekend’s wide release is Texas Chainsaw 3D through Lionsgate.

Estimated Top 10 North America Dec 28-30 2012
Film (Dist) / Est wkd gross / Est total to date

1 (1) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Warner Bros/New Line/MGM) WBPI $32.9m $222.7m

2 (-) Django Unchained (TWC) Sony Pictures Releasing International $30.7m $64m

3 (-) Les Misérables (Universal/Working Title) UPI $28m $67.5m

4 (-) Parental Guidance (Fox) Fox International $14.8m $29.6m

5 (2) Jack Reacher (Paramount) PPI $14m $44.7m

6 (3) This Is 40 (Universal) UPI $13.2m $37.1m

7 (5) Lincoln (Dwks-Buena Vista) Fox Int’l $7.5m $132m

8 (6) The Guilt Trip (Paramount) PPI $6.7m $21.1m

9 (7) Monsters, Inc (3D) (Buena Vista) WDSMPI $6.4m $18.5m

10 (4) Rise Of The Guardians (Paramount-Dwks Animation) PPI $4.9m $90.2m

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