Even for a weekend that’s more-or-less caught the world with other topics a la WrestleMania and the impending time for the solar eclipse to approach tomorrow, we shall dive into a weekend that seems a bit off its game (not the Superbowl) in terms of box office numbers.
To start the fulcrum of our discussions, King Kong and Godzilla kept their roars and punches at the top for another weekend, bringing in $31.7 million domestically for The New Empire (which has passed $135 million domestically and $360 million globally). The 60% drop might be an eye-catcher, but remember that last weekend was a Good Friday/Easter bundle, so folks could enjoy a little more time off watching the kaiju action permeate the screens and the latest marketing trail. It remains the kid-friendly big dog (excuse me, monster) in the house till John Krasinski’s IF next month, so there is staying power and more to keep up with. If it legs out like its brothers, we should see it come under/over $200 million domestically and past $550 million worldwide. It remains to be seen if it can top Kong: Skull Island ($568 million), but ask again next weekend or the following for a better directive. I believe Warner Brothers is still salivating that they’re merely getting started with their box office totals and can pump more later this year with Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and Joker: Folie a Deux. Long live the current kings.
In other news, newcomers Monkey Man and The First Omen, initially set to open only on streaming products, make a softening blow at the theaters. One saw potential (thanks, Jordan Peele) for its John Wick-esque action and political ambitions, while the other was put in theaters as the nigh belief that horror draws remains a bona fide reality. Monkey Man might be trekking waters that could harm India’s political content, but it would only settle its home on Netflix in a much quieter environment anyway. So, its $10.15 million opening isn’t necessarily a flop as the film’s budget is $10 million, and Universal will get the remains once it breaks sometime by next weekend. The First Omen opened to $8.36 million, a disappointing number and another reminder that not all Fox properties brought to Disney can maintain their power.
Ghostbusters: The Frozen Empire is limping to $100 million domestically, while it should pass $150 million worldwide by next weekend. Audiences don’t seem to be any further interested in this series, much like they showed with Terminator: Dark Fate and Matrix Ressurections. It does bring to mind how The Crow reboot will fare this summer and Alien Romulus in August. Stay tuned(?).
Kung Fu Panda 4 has passed $410 million worldwide, another sign of resiliency for Dreamworks Animation; perhaps less-than-stellar reviews can stop families from having a good time with their favorite lovable panda. Dune Part Two has passed $265 million domestically and $660 million globally. I guess $700 million is a more likely possibility than ever now.
Next weekend sees the release of A24’s Civil War, Damaged, The Absence of Eden, Sasquatch Sunset, and Sweet Dreams.
