“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” Surpasses Expectations with $80 Million Opening Weekend
The highly anticipated crossover film “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” exceeded expectations, roaring to an impressive $80 million opening on 3,861 North American screens, as per Sunday studio estimates.
The collaborative effort between Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, featuring Rebecca Hall and Brian Tyree Henry, delivered the second-highest opening of the year, falling just shy of the $81.5 million debut of “Dune: Part 2.”
Initial projections had anticipated an opening weekend closer to $50 million for “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” making its actual performance all the more remarkable.
Mary Parent, chairman of worldwide production for Legendary, attributed the film’s success to its cinematic spectacle and the innovative portrayal of iconic characters in unfamiliar roles. She emphasized the immersive experience created by the film, which includes extensive sequences devoid of dialogue, offering audiences a mythic journey.
Last week’s box office champion, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” slipped to second place with $15.7 million, bringing its two-week total to $73.4 million.
“Dune: Part Two” maintained its momentum in its fifth week, securing the third spot with an $11.1 million haul and a domestic tally of $252.4 million.
Comparatively, the previous installment featuring the two legendary monsters, “Godzilla vs. Kong,” debuted with $48.5 million, underscoring the significant growth witnessed by the franchise despite challenges posed by the pandemic.
The success of “Godzilla x Kong” marks the second-largest opening in the MonsterVerse franchise, following the 2014 release of “Godzilla,” which grossed $93.2 million domestically and over $500 million globally.
The positive response to the film, alongside the continued popularity of “Dune: Part Two” and “Ghostbusters,” has narrowed the year-to-date deficit in box office revenue to 6% compared to the previous year.
As the industry looks ahead, upcoming releases such as “The Fall Guy” and sequels to major franchises offer hope for further recovery in the theatrical movie business.
While surpassing the record-breaking year of 2023 remains unlikely, the resurgence in theater attendance underscores the enduring appeal of cinema despite evolving viewing habits.
Estimated ticket sales cover Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, with final domestic figures set for release on Monday.
Top 10 Weekend Box Office Estimates:
- “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” – $80 million
- “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” – $15.7 million
- “Dune: Part Two” – $11.1 million
- “Kung Fu Panda 4” – $10.2 million
- “Immaculate” – $3.3 million
- “Arthur the King” – $2.4 million
- “Late Night With the Devil” – $2.2 million
- “Tillu Square” – $1.8 million
- “Crew” – $1.5 million
- “Imaginary” – $1.4 million
Source: ABC News
