Box Office: 'The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smuag' Holds Top Spot For Second Week Despite Strong Push From 'Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues'

The epic fantasy sequel 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' remains in the top position at the North American box office despite the release of the well-publicised comedy 'Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues'.

New Line Cinema's hit fantasy film is No.1 at the North American box office for a second straight week, earning $31.5 million this weekend.

On opening weekend it garnered an impressive $73.7 million from ticket sales and became the fourth biggest December opening ever, coming behind 'Avatar' ($77 million), 'I Am Legend' ($77.2 million) and 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' ($84.6 million).

Watch the trailer for 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' here

The sequel to 2012's 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' depicts 'Bilbo Baggins' (Martin Freeman) travelling with a group of dwarfs as their 'burglar' to aid them in entering the lonely mountain, where the dwarfs will face off against 'dragon Smaug' (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch).

Joining the current cast is Evangeline Lilly, Orlando Bloom who reprises his role as 'Legolas' from 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, Lee Pace and Luke Evans.

See next page for 'Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues' details

Will Ferrell and his hilarious co-stars of 'Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues' couldn't dethrone 'Smaug' despite being released midweek on Wednesday (Dec 18th). The sequel to 2004's 'Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy' took in $26.8 million for the No. 2 spot this weekend and has earned a total of $40 million since it hit theatres.

Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd and David Koechner reunite ten years later and get a second chance to be a news team after they are hired to work for a 24-hour news channel in New York City.

Now in the 80s, Ron and his dedicated team are entering a new era of journalism, and hilarity ensues as they try to keep up with the ever changing industry.

Watch the 'Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues' trailer here

Big names in comedy are welcomed to the cast as Kristen Wiig plays 'Tamland's' love interest, and cameos from personalities in all corners of the entertainment industry are featured, such as Kirsten Dunst, Harrison Ford, Kanye West, Tina Fey and Drake to name a few.

See next page to find out what other films finished in the top ten at the box office this weekend

Disney's animation 'Frozen' continues its fall as it finishes in 3rd place with $19.2 million and a very close 4th was 'American Hustle' which earned $19.1 million.

The unknown story of how Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) secured the film rights to 'Mary Poppins' from the author P.L. Travers (Emily Watson) is depicted in 'Saving Mr. Banks', which rounds off the top 5 by earning $9.3 million.

The top ten films of this weekend are below, via Box Office Mojo:

1. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: $31.5 million

2. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues: $26.8 million

3. Frozen: $19.2 million

4. American Hustle: $19.1 million

5. Saving Mr. Banks: $9.3 million

6. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire: $8.75 million

7. Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas: $8.5 million

8. Walking With Dinosaurs: $7.3 million

9. Dhoom 3: $3.3 million 1

10. Thor: The Dark World: $1.3 million