Following a series of highly anticipated releases such as Dune: Part Two, Kung Fu Panda 4, and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Legendary/Warner Bros‘ Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire has emerged as a strong contender at the box office. Despite a lack of major event titles in the first quarter due to strikes, this Adam Wingard directed monster mash movie has generated significant momentum. According to sources, Godzilla x Kong raked in an impressive $8M from previews that commenced at 3PM on Thursday in approximately 3,400 locations.
The $8M preview haul marks one of the best previews ever for a Legendary’s Monsterverse film, just behind the 2014 Godzilla movie which amassed $9.3M in previews. Directed by Gareth Edwards, the 2014 Godzilla movie went on to achieve a first Friday total of $38.4M and a 3-day weekend total of $93.1M. While Warner Bros did not provide a comment on the current box office estimates, early domestic projections for Godzilla x Kong projected an opening of $50M.
Despite receiving mixed reviews from Rotten Tomatoes critics, with a rating of 56%, Godzilla x Kong has resonated well with audiences. The movie currently holds a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, making it a fan favorite within the Monsterverse. It’s worth noting that the previous installment in the series, 2021’s Godzilla v. Kong, directed by Wingard as well, opened to a solid $48.1M over the Easter holiday period. This release played a crucial role in reigniting moviegoing after a year-long shutdown in major box office markets.
Godzilla x Kong is poised to screen in 3,850 theaters on Friday, with additional support from formats such as Imax, PLFs, ScreenX, D-Box, and 4DX. Furthermore, there will be shared Imax auditoriums between Godzilla x Kong and Legendary/Warner Bros’ Dune: Part Two. The latter has emerged as the highest-grossing title of 2024 thus far, with $239.3M in the domestic market and close to $600M worldwide. This partnership between the two films showcases the strength of the current box office landscape and the potential for continued success for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
The box office performance of Godzilla x Kong underscores the enduring appeal of monster-driven blockbuster entertainment and the importance of delivering a high-quality cinematic experience for audiences. With strong previews, positive audience reactions, and a strategic theatrical rollout, Godzilla x Kong is well-positioned to continue its box office reign and solidify its status as a standout title in the Monsterverse franchise.