GOOD things come in threes, particularly if you’re a hobbit.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The third instalment of Peter Jackson’s Hobbit series was Ballarat Regent Cinema’s most popular Boxing Day film.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies is one of five new releases that opened on Friday.
Disney animation Big Hero 6, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, St Vincent and The Water Diviner were also released.
Cinema manager Stewart Moors predicted the third Hobbit film to be popular at the box office.
“It has had the biggest pre-sale and Gold Class is sold up until next Tuesday,” he said.
“Night at the Museum 3 is the last film with Robin Williams in it and that has a big pull.”
Mr Moors said about 2000 tickets had been sold by midday, with about half of those for the Hobbit film.
“The ticket sales are sitting around the 2000 mark, which is level with this time last year,” he said.
Former Ballarat residents Alison Smith and Megan Kennedy watched Annie with other family members.
“It’s a bit of a family favourite,” Ms Smith said. “We love musical movies. It’s something that the kids wanted to do.”
Lara Cartledge and her family also returned to Ballarat to watch the Hobbit film.
“We have seen the first two and it’s something else for us to do today,” she said.
Ms Cartledge said watching Boxing Day movies was a good excuse to bond with the family.