In a surprising turn of events, Godzilla vs Kong: The New Empire has smashed records and emerged as the highest-grossing movie in the Legendary and Warner Bros Monsterverse franchise, raking in an impressive $570M worldwide. This feat surpasses the previous Monsterverse champ, 2017’s Kong Skull Island, which brought in $568.6M. The movie’s success can be attributed to Warner Bros’ strategic marketing efforts and the unparalleled reach of the global distribution team.
One key factor that contributed to the success of Godzilla vs Kong: The New Empire was Warner Bros’ decision to seize an opportunity presented by Sony’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire changing its release date. By moving up their movie to the coveted Easter weekend slot, Warner Bros capitalized on a historically profitable period for movie launches. This astute move paid off handsomely, with New Empire exceeding initial expectations by grossing $80M domestically and $194M worldwide during its opening weekend.
The film, helmed by director Adam Wingard, marks his second foray into the Monsterverse franchise following the success of Godzilla vs. Kong in 2021. Wingard’s vision and storytelling prowess have resonated with audiences, propelling New Empire to become the second highest-grossing Hollywood movie of 2024 thus far, trailing only behind Legendary/Warner Bros.’ Dune: Part Two. Despite concerns about the future of moviegoing, Godzilla vs Kong proves that captivating content remains a driving force in attracting audiences to theaters.
Apart from its domestic success, Godzilla vs Kong: The New Empire has also made a significant impact in international markets. In India, the film stands as the highest-grossing Warner Bros movie of all time, grossing an impressive $16M. Similarly, the movie has resonated with audiences in China, a notoriously challenging market for Hollywood films post-Covid. New Empire’s $132.4M haul in China solidifies its position as the highest-grossing offshore territory for the film.
While Godzilla vs Kong: The New Empire has enjoyed widespread success across various territories, notable achievements include its strong performance in Mexico ($33.7M), UK ($18.1M), France ($12.4M), Australia ($12.3M), and Japan ($10.8M). The movie’s appeal extends to diverse audiences worldwide, showcasing the universal allure of epic monster battles on the big screen.
Godzilla vs Kong: The New Empire’s triumphant box office performance serves as a testament to the enduring popularity of the Monsterverse franchise and the creative talents behind the film. As the highest-grossing title in the franchise to date, New Empire’s success reaffirms the timeless appeal of larger-than-life monster showdowns and the power of compelling storytelling to captivate audiences on a global scale.
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