The second movie in The Hobbit trilogy was the biggest box-office hit in United States cinemas over Christmas.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug earned $US9.32 million on Christmas Day - 17% less than its predecessor, An Unexpected Journey, on Christmas Day last year.
Box Office Mojo website estimates that Smaug grossed more than $US149 million in the US up to and including Christmas Day, and more than $US276 million in the rest of the world as of the Saturday leading up to Christmas.
Smaug opened as No.1 at the weekend box office in Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, South Korea and the UK, as well as in New Zealand where it was filmed by Sir Peter Jackson.
AAP reports the film opened in Australia on Boxing Day, taking $A5.46 million in ticket sales in 629 cinemas.