The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King continued its rule at the box office, raking in $US50.5 million ($A68.11 million) and leading a record-setting holiday weekend at the North American box office, according to new figures.

The third and final cinematic instalment of the JRR Tolkien novels has grossed $US222.2 million ($A299.7 million) since opening December 17, according to boxoffice trackers Exhibitor Relations.

The best movie I’ve seen in a long long time.

“For Frodo!”

[The Age]