NEW YORK: After over a year of theaters experiencing lackluster opening weekends, the domestic box office has roared back to life on Easter weekend after the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to the powerhouse debut of Godzilla Vs. Kong.
“Godzilla vs. Kong” scored easily the best opening of the pandemic with an estimated $48.5 million since opening Wednesday, even as it was simultaneously streaming at home.
The monster mash, from Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment, was the widest domestic release in the past year, playing in more than 3,000 theaters. The five-day total far exceeded expectations, and even outpaced the three-day debut ($47.8 million) of the franchise’s last entry, 2019’s “Godzilla: King of the Monsters.”
According to an international film magazine, the Adam Wingard-directed movie was also a hit overseas as it made $236.9million with a worldwide total of $285.4million in 12 days.
Godzilla vs. Kong’s $48.5 million greatly surpassed the previous record of $16.7 million set by Wonder Woman 1984. Tom and Jerry will continue to hold on to its third-place spot with $14 million.
In addition to earning the largest opening weekend, Godzilla vs. Kong also achieved new pandemic records in largest number of locations (3,064), largest opening day (Wednesday $9.6 million), and largest single date (Saturday $12.5 million).
