On busy pre-Christmas weekend at the box office, "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" held off a very different sequel, "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues." Peter Jackson's "Hobbit" sequel took in $31.5 million in its second weekend of release for Warner Bros., according to studio estimates Sunday. That topped Will Ferrell's "Anchorman" sequel, which nevertheless opened strongly in second place. The Paramount Pictures comedy made $26.8 million over the three-day weekend and $40 million since opening Tuesday night. The much-marketed "Anchorman 2" actually outperformed "The Hobbit" (which has now passed $300 million worldwide) on Friday, but failed to best it over Saturday and Sunday. But the $50 million comedy, which Paramount initially turned down, also suggested it will be more popular abroad than most comedies. It made $13.4 million in six international markets. The 2004 original opened with $28.4 million, but only grossed $5.3 million internationally. Read more http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/...ffice_n_4490038.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment
