THE HOBBIT Takes $37.5 Million in US Premiere, Bringing Total Gross to $94.5 Million Worldwide

Peter Jackson's THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY was theatrically released in international markets on December 13 and domestically yesterday, December 14.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, so far the film's international gross after three days is $57 million. The Hobbit grossed $37.5 million yesterday in the United States alone, bringing its worldwide total so far to $94.5 million.

Warner Bros. is predicting $85 million for the weekend domestically, with some analysts guessing The Hobbit could earn upwards of $95 million. The film has received mixed reviews so far; see BWW's December 13th Review Roundup.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey follows title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield.

Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever... Gollum.

Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities... A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.