THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG Takes Weekend Box Office with $73.6 Million

Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug rose to the occasion at this weekend's box office, taking the top spot with $73.6 million.

The first installment in The Hobbit franchise, 'An Unexpected Journey', which opened last year, grossed $84.6 million during the course of its opening weekend.

The second in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" continues the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.

Disney's FROZEN once again lit up at the box office in second place, taking in an additional $22.1 million, and bumping its total to $164.3 million.

Tyler Perry's A Medea Christmas opened in third place this weekend with $16 million, while The Hunger Games: Catching Fire took in $13.1 million, and Thor: the Dark World rounded out the top five with $2.7 million.

Rentrak announced the top 10 box office earners for thsi weekend (Dec. 13 - 15) - check them out below!