'Hobbit' film sets December record

Director Peter Jackson arrives for the royal premiere of his film "The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey" in central London December 12, 2012.[Photo/Agencies]

SOME VIEWERS NAUSEOUS

The faster frame rate delivers clearer pictures, but some critics called the format cartoonish and jarring. Only a fraction of theaters showed the film in the new format. Some fans at early screenings in New Zealand complained it made them feel nauseous and dizzy, according to The New Zealand Herald.

The next two "Hobbit" movies are scheduled to reach theaters in December 2013 and July 2014. The films were financed by MGM and Warner Bros.' New Line Cinema unit for an estimated $500 million.

Related: Vampires, James Bond lead record weekend

"The Hobbit" took a bumpy, years-long journey to the big screen that included two directors and a lawsuit. Jackson made the "Rings" trilogy when producers could not get "The Hobbit" rights that were held by MGM's United Artists unit.

'Hobbit' may smash box office record

Guillermo del Toro was first hired to direct "The Hobbit" but he left the project when financial woes at MGM caused delays. The movie went into production only after Jackson settled a lawsuit against New Line in a dispute over profits from the "Rings" films.

"The Hobbit" was the only new nationwide release over the weekend. The rest of the top five were films that have been playing for weeks.

In second place was the animated family film "Rise of the Guardians" with $7.4 million, followed by historical drama "Lincoln" starring Daniel Day-Lewis as the revered US president, which grabbed $7.2 million from Friday through Sunday, according to studio estimates.

James Bond movie "Skyfall" landed in fourth place with $7 million.

Next on the box office chart was "Life of Pi", which captured $5.4 million. Teen vampire tale "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2" earned $5.17 million.

Time Warner Inc's Warner Bros. released "The Hobbit". "Lincoln" was produced by Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Co. Sony Corp's movie studio released "Skyfall". Dreamworks Animation distributed "Rise of the Guardians", which was released by Viacom Inc's Paramount Pictures. Summit Entertainment, a unit of Lions Gate Entertainment, released "Breaking Dawn".

Gao Yuanyuan on magazine cover

Alba at Golden Globe Awards

Jackman, Hathaway on Walk of Fame