Disney's FROZEN Kicks Off 2014 at Top of U.S. Box Office

Disney's FROZEN, which recently surpassed the $500 million mark worldwide, will kick off 2014 at the top of the U.S. box office, according to Variety.

The animated film, featuring the voices of Broadway stars Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff and Josh Gad, topped the box office take on Wednesday, January 1 with $8.7 million for a six-week total of $271.9 million. The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug followed with $7.8 million for $209.3 million in 20 days.

FROZEN earned approximately $250 million both domestically and internationally making it the fourth Disney film to reach the milestone. Domestically, the movie is Disney's most successful animated film in North American following The Lion King, which earned $422.8 million.

Hitting theaters on November 27th the film, which recently received a Golden Globe nomination, pulled in $93.6 million for its five-day holiday debut, setting a new record for the largest Thanksgiving debut in history. It will also hits the record books for being the largest opening ever for a Walt Disney Animation Studios film.

About FROZEN:

Walt Disney Animation Studios, the studio behind "Tangled" and "Wreck-It Ralph," presents FROZEN, a stunning big-screen comedy adventure. Fearless optimist Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) sets off on an epic journey-teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven-to find her sister Elsa (voice ofIdina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf (voice of Josh Gad), Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom.

The film is directed by Chris Buck ("Tarzan," "Surf's Up") and Jennifer Lee (screenwriter, "Wreck-It Ralph"), who also wrote the screenplay. It is produced by Peter Del Vecho ("Winnie the Pooh," "The Princess and the Frog"). Featuring original songs from Tony winner Robert Lopez ("The Book of Mormon," "Avenue Q") and Kristen Anderson-Lopez ("In Transit," "Winnie the Pooh"), and an original score by Christophe Beck ("The Muppets," Oscar-winning short "Paperman"), "Frozen" hits theaters in 3D on Nov. 27, 2013.

In "Frozen," fearless optimist Anna (voice of Kristen Bell) teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (voice ofJonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven in an epic journey, encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf (voice of Josh Gad)in a race to find Anna's sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter.

Read more about Disney's FROZEN Breaks $500 Million at Worldwide Box Office - BWWMoviesWorld by www.broadwayworld.com

featuring the voices of Broadway's "Frozen" led the way on Wednesday with $8.7 million for a six-week total of $271.9 million, followed by "Smaug" with $7.8 million for $209.3 million in 20 days.