The top films at the North American box office

Cast member Ian McKellen arrives for the premiere of the movie ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'' in New York December 6, 2012.

Credit: Reuters/Carlo Allegri

LOS ANGELES, Dec 16 - Following are the top 10 movies at North American box offices for the three-day weekend starting December 14, led by "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" at No. 1, according to studio estimates compiled by Reuters.

1 (*) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey........$84.77 million

2 (2) The Rise of the Guardians................$ 7.4 million

3 (4) Lincoln..................................$ 7.2 million

4 (1) Skyfall..................................$ 7.0 million

5 (5) Life of Pi...............................$ 5.4 million

6 (3) Twilight: Breaking Dawn - Part 2.........$ 5.17 million

7 (7) Wreck-It Ralph ..........................$ 3.2 million

8 (6) Playing for Keeps .......................$ 3.2 million

9 (8) Red Dawn.................................$ 2.3 million

10 (-) Silver Linings Playbook..................$ 2.0 million

NOTES: (*) = new release

CUMULATIVE TOTALS:

Twilight: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 ...............$276.8 million

Skyfall ........................................$272.3 million

Wreck-It Ralph..................................$168.7 million

Lincoln.........................................$107.8 million

Argo............................................$104.9 million

Flight..........................................$ 89.4 million

Hobbit..........................................$ 84.77 million

Rise of the Guardians...........................$ 71.3 million

Life of Pi ....................................$ 69.5 million

Red Dawn........................................$ 40.8 million

"The Hobbit" was released by Warner Bros., a unit of Time Warner Inc. "Breaking Dawn - Part 2" was released by Summit Entertainment, a unit of Lions Gate Entertainment LGF.N. Sony Corp's 6758.T SNE.N movie studio released "Skyfall." "Lincoln" was produced by Dreamworks and released by Walt Disney Co DIS.N. Disney also released "Wreck-It Ralph." Paramount Pictures, a unit of Viacom Inc VIAB.O, released "Flight" and the Dreamworks Animation DWA.O production "Rise of the Guardians." "Life of Pi" was released by 20th Century Fox, a unit of News Corp NWSA.O. FilmDistrict, an independent studio, distributes "Playing for Keeps." The Weinstein Company distributed "Killing Them Softly."

(Reporting By Lisa Richwine and Patricia Reaney; Editing by Mohammad Zargham)

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