The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey walked all over its competition this week, grossing $36.7 million to hold the domestic box-office in the face of challenges from the likes of Jack Reacher, This is 40 and The Guilt Trip.

Jack Reacher opened at number two with $15.6 million — which is pretty dismal for a movie Paramount’s been packaging like the next Mission: Impossible picture — while This is 40 placed third with just $12 million. The Guilt Trip — which John bravely endured last week — took sixth place with just $5.7 million for the weekend … though I’d wager its audience won’t show up in force until we enter the dead zone of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Meanwhile, in the ancient depths, great Les Miserables lies slumbering …