The weekend box office was ruled by “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” which had a strong North American opening of $56.5 million, giving a much-needed boost to the summer movie season. The film, from 20th Century Studios and Disney, continued the rebooted “Apes” trilogy and had the third-highest opening of the year. It performed even better internationally, with a global total of $129 million, making it the highest-grossing film of the weekend and surpassing the rest of the top 10 combined.
Following “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” was “The Fall Guy” at No. 2, with a weekend gross of $13.7 million and a total of $49.7 million over two weeks for Universal Pictures. Zendaya’s “Challengers” came in third with $4.7 million, earning $38 million in three weeks for Amazon MGM studios. The strong opening for “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” directed by Wes Ball, marked the second-best in the series after 2014’s “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.” Notably, the franchise has maintained momentum and longevity over the years, drawing audiences with its blend of sci-fi, social commentary, and entertainment value.
The latest film in the “Planet of the Apes” franchise received strong reviews and positive buzz, with critics praising its visual effects and CGI advancements since the last installment. With an 80% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a CinemaScore of “B,” “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” was hailed as thrilling and visually stunning by critics. The success of the film is a much-needed boost for the movie industry, which has seen uncertainty in the forthcoming summer season. While some potential blockbusters like “Despicable Me 4” and “Deadpool & Wolverine” are expected to perform well, others like “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and “Twisters” could go either way.
As the summer movie season progresses, there is a mix of both sure bets and risky ventures in terms of box office performance. The lack of major early releases, such as a Marvel movie like last year’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” has led to a 21% decrease in total mid-May earnings compared to the previous year. While some films are anticipated to be hits, others may struggle to find success at the box office. The landscape of guaranteed blockbusters has shifted, making the upcoming slate of releases a hit-or-miss proposition for studios and audiences alike.
Overall, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” dominated the weekend box office with its strong opening, signaling a positive start to the summer movie season. The film’s success, along with other potential blockbusters on the horizon, provides some hope for the industry amidst uncertainties. With a mix of established franchises and new releases, the summer movie season is set to offer a diverse range of films that will test the waters in a post-pandemic landscape.
