The new kaiju showdown Godzilla vs. Kong (WB/Legendary) battled its way to a monster-sized pandemic debut. The pic took in an estimated $121.8 million from 38 overseas markets — the biggest international opening for a movie since the start of the COVID-19 crisis. The actioner scored about $12.4M from 891 IMAX screens (9.7% of the int’l B.O.), making it likewise the biggest IMAX opening weekend since December 2019.
As could be expected, China was the biggest market for Godzilla vs. Kong at $70.34M. Directed by horror helmer Adam Wingard, the effects-heavy blockbuster hit No. 1 in all its release territories. Other top markets were Mexico and Australia ($6.3M), Russia ($5.8M), Taiwan (%5.2M) and India ($4.8M). The new Monster Universe entry’s opening pulls ahead of 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters and about matches up to 2017’s Kong: Skull Island.
Domestically, Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon was edged out of the No. 1 spot in its third weekend by Universals’ Nobody, pulling $3.5M from 2,212 theaters to the new champ’s $6.7M. The warrior princess was immediately followed by WB’s Tom and Jerry ($2.5M). DreamWorks/Universal’s The Croods: A New Age came in at No. 6 in its 18th week. Wonder Woman 1984 (WB) closed out the top 10 in its 14th week with $245k.
As far as worldwide cumulative rankings, Godzilla vs. Kong rocketed straight to No. 4. The Avatar re-release is up to $51.7M worldwide, bringing the 2009 blockbuster’s recaptured B.O. record to $3.32 billion. The top performing animated titles are Tom and Jerry ($85.4M, No. 6), Raya and the Last Dragon ($82.6M, No. 7), Fantawild’s Boonie Bears: The Wild Life ($77.7M, No. 8)), Light Chaser’s Nezha Reborn ($56M, No. 9) — coming to Netflix April 12 and Studio Khara’s Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time ($45.3M, No. 11). Directed by Hideaki Anno and also dubbed Shin Evangelion, the latest franchise entry set an IMAX opening day record in Japan last week.
[Sources: Deadline, BoxOfficeMojo]
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