The latest installment in the Legendary and Warner Bros Monsterverse franchise, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, has made a significant impact at the global box office. With a staggering total gross of $570M worldwide, this film has surpassed the previous Monsterverse champion, 2017’s Kong Skull Island, which earned $568.6M. The breakdown of New Empire’s earnings reveals $373.7M from international markets and $196.3M from domestic territories. Impressively, New Empire has emerged as the highest grossing Monsterverse title in 35 key markets, including Brazil, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and the UAE.
Warner Bros deserves credit for the success of New Empire, not only for their effective marketing efforts but also for their strategic global distribution tactics. The decision to move the release date of Sony’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire created an advantageous opportunity for Warner Bros to capitalize on the lucrative Easter weekend, a historically fruitful period for the studio. This move allowed New Empire to exceed initial box office projections, bringing in $80M domestically and $194M worldwide. Director Adam Wingard, in his second installment in the Monsterverse franchise, has proven his mettle once again following the success of 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong. New Empire now stands as the second highest grossing Hollywood movie of 2024, trailing behind Legendary/Warner Bros.’ Dune: Part Two.
The success of Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire extends beyond the borders of the United States, with notable achievements in various international territories. In India, the film has broken records by becoming the highest grossing Warner Bros movie of all time, generating $16M in box office revenue. Similarly, New Empire has emerged as the studio’s top-grossing film in Cambodia. The film’s performance in China, a market that has traditionally been challenging for Hollywood studios, is particularly noteworthy. Despite local competition, New Empire has thrived in the Chinese market, raking in $132.4M and securing its position as the highest grossing offshore territory for the film.
Apart from India and China, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire has seen success in several other top-grossing territories. Mexico has contributed significantly to the film’s global earnings with $33.7M, followed by the UK with $18.1M. In France, New Empire has grossed $12.4M, while Australia and Japan have brought in $12.3M and $10.8M respectively. Additionally, Indonesia, Brazil, Taiwan, Germany, and Spain have also shown strong support for the film, with earnings ranging from $6.8M to $9.2M in these markets.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire has shattered box office records and solidified its position as a standout success in the Monsterverse franchise. With a winning combination of engaging content, effective marketing, and strategic distribution, the film has captivated audiences worldwide and proven that there is still a strong appetite for cinematic experiences that deliver thrills and excitement. As the highest grossing film in key markets and a trailblazer in territories like India and China, New Empire stands as a testament to the enduring popularity of monster movies and the power of compelling storytelling on the big screen.