“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” exceeded expectations with an $80 million opening weekend on 3,861 North American screens, making it the second-highest opening of the year behind “Dune: Part 2.” The monster mash-up from Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures featured stars Rebecca Hall and Brian Tyree Henry and was projected to open closer to $50 million. Last week’s No. 1 film, “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” came in second with $15.7 million for a total of $73.4 million over two weeks. “Dune: Part Two” remained strong in its fifth week, earning $11.1 million and bringing its domestic total to $252.4 million.
The last matchup between Godzilla and Kong in 2021’s “Godzilla vs. Kong” had a smaller opening weekend of $48.5 million but was significant given the challenges of the pandemic. The new film, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” is the second biggest opening in the studios’ MonsterVerse franchise behind 2014’s “Godzilla,” which brought in $93.2 million. These estimates are for Friday through Sunday at US and Canadian theaters, with final domestic figures to be released on Monday.
Other films rounding out the top 10 at the box office included “Kung Fu Panda 4” with $10.2 million, “Immaculate” with $3.3 million, “Arthur the King” with $2.4 million, “Late Night With the Devil” with $2.2 million, “Tillu Square” with $1.8 million, “Crew” with $1.5 million, and “Imaginary” with $1.4 million.
Despite initial projections, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” proved to be a hit at the box office, surpassing expectations and joining other successful films in a robust year for the industry. The star-studded cast and larger-than-life monster battles captivated audiences and led to a strong opening weekend. With impressive numbers, the film solidified its place in the MonsterVerse franchise and set the stage for potential future installments.
The success of “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” is a testament to the enduring popularity of these iconic monsters and the appeal of big-budget blockbusters in theaters. The film’s performance at the box office reflects a positive trend in the industry as audiences return to cinemas in large numbers. With strong competition from other films, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” managed to stand out and draw in audiences with its thrilling action sequences and special effects.
The box office rankings for the week demonstrate a mix of sequels, animated films, and original content, with different genres appealing to a wide range of moviegoers. While some films exceeded expectations, others fell short, highlighting the unpredictability of the industry. As the year continues, it will be interesting to see how upcoming releases perform and whether “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” can maintain its momentum in the weeks to come.
