‘The Hobbit’ big winner at weekend box office

Without question, a lot of movie fans wanted to head back to Middle-earth this past weekend. “The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies” not only sold more than $56 million in tickets for the weekend, but it brought in nearly $91 million since its Wednesday opening last week. Meanwhile, “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” and “Annie” — new films showing in more than 3,000 locations — each grossed less than half the weekend “Hobbit” tally.

That said, this third “Hobbit” made less money than the first two movies in the Peter Jackson trilogy. The first film made $84.6 million on its opening weekend, and the second film took in nearly $74 million.

Trilogy fatique also had an effect on the third “Night at the Musem” movie. That franchise’s first film made $30.4 million on its opening weekend. The second one did even better: $54. 2 million. However, “Secret of the Tomb” only pulled in a relatively weak $17.3 million.

Despite huge promotion, “Annie” came in third with $16.3 million for the weekend, followed by “Exodus: Gods and Kings” at $8.1 million and “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1,” making another $7.8 million at the box office to round out the top five movies.