Dreamworks’ Kung Fu Panda 4 took its intended place at the top of the box office, earning $58.3 million in its debut. That’s the most significant launch for this series since the 2008 original, which earned $60 million in its first three days. It is also the 2nd biggest “part four” animated launch behind Toy Story 4‘s $120 million in 2019. This indicates that Dreamworks still makes big bucks with another one of its flagship franchises, and they still affirm to leg out (much like recent Puss in Boots: The Last Wish). A surefire play for $200 million domestically looks pretty likely, but stiff competition from some other kids-friendly releases later this month, like Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire and Godzilla x Kong, could leave that hanging in the balance.
Even legging out like Kung Fu Panda 3 would put the follow-up around $500-530 million worldwide, another sweet sign of success for Po and his kung fu friends. The Jack Black/Awkwafina/Dustin Hoffman-led feature does start to show wary signs of being this far in, so let’s hope that if two future installments are on the way, they can shake up the paradigm.
Dune: Part Two took a 44% hit in its second weekend, a much better hold than its predecessor (despite COVID variables back then), and combated against a kids-friendly toon, earning $46 million to put it at $157 million domestically and $367.5 million globally. It should be passing Meg 2: The Trench ($390 million) sometime this week and could quickly soar past Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom ($433 million) by next weekend, indicating that Warner Brothers is pulling some severe bank back into their system after a slew of underwhelming performances in 2023. Could it reach Wonka‘s $625.7 million (and counting) earnings? It’s not out of sight of possibility, but getting past $500 million is inevitable at this point, so Warner Brothers will add another winning collection on their hands. The first Dune was calibrated more of a theatrical “savior” during unknown times of recouping back in 2021, while Part Two has been treated respectfully as an A+ level tentpole smash. Altogether, the fourth adventure with Po and the follow-up with Dune have revived a barren box office (slightly 10% behind 2023’s numbers), so expect more momentum once the last two biggies of March hop in.
Newcomer Imaginary arrived on par with $10 million in its debut; the latest thriller from Blumhose is subjectively better than the recent Night Swim, and it’ll easily make its money for being another horror motions picture to ride the waves, while the world gorges up Po and Paul Altreides. Cabrini nabbed $7.56 million in its debut, and Bob Marley: One Love took fifth place with $4 million in its fourth weekend.
Much like Morbius, Madame Web has crashed and burned and is struggling to web past $100 million worldwide. Sony has expressed disappointment in its own stars for belittling the latest dreaded work so much that the film will eventually become a cult classic-turned-to-meme. It’s unknown how R-rated Kraven the Hunter will do later this year, but Sony needs something aside from re-releasing Spider-Man films to earn some profit. Ice-cold reviews and another box office bomb for their “superhero universe with Spidey” will return to bite them.
Next weekend sees the release of Arthur the King, The American Society of Magical Negroes, Knox Goes Away, and Snack Shack.
