ZAMM.COM

Moviegoers proved once again this weekend, they’ll go to the multiplexes to see films they want to see — like GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE, which they opened to over $40M.

It was a spring thaw at theatres that augers well for the upcoming Easter Weekend when WB’s launch of GODZILLA X KONG is widely expected to heat up ticket sales. It’s also another indication of how misplaced the studios’ faith is in streaming as Hollywood’s future.

Moviegoers — including many families — put Sony/Bron Studios’ PG-13 fantasy adventure comedy GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE in first place with $45.2M at 4,345 theatres ($10,403), per Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian. Hollywood handicappers were originally projecting a $45-50M launch, but scaled it back mid-weekend to $42-44M. EMPIRE, which reportedly cost $100M to produce, has done $61.6M worldwide.

It’s likely that if not for the major weekend storm system pommeling the entire East Coast from Maine to Florida, EMPIRE would have done better yet. Going into this weekend, it was tracking best with women over 25 (10 points over norm) and equally well with men over 25 (10 points over norm). Rotten Tomatoes critics may hate it at 43%, but audiences are much happier at 84%.

Driven by EMPIRE, the weekend’s overall marketplace, per Comscore, totaled $104.6M, up 16.8% from the prior weekend, but down 12% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2024 at $1.47B, down 9% from $1.61B in 2023. 

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: WB/Legendary Entertainment’s DUNE: PART TWO was #2 with $17.6M (-38.26%) for weekend three at 3,437 theatres ($5,121). It’s done $233.4M domestic with a worldwide cume of $574.4M. D2 reportedly cost $190M (or more) to produce, with Legendary putting up most of it.

Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 4 finished third in weekend three with $16.8M (-44.28%) at 3,805 theatres ($4,415). It reportedly cost a modest (for animation) $85M to produce. KFP4’s done $133.2M domestic with a global cume of $268.2M.

Also arriving this weekend: Neon/Black Bear’s R rated horror thriller IMMACULATE placed #4 with $5.4M at 2,354 theatres ($2,277). It reportedly cost about $10M to produce. Going into this weekend, it was tracking below norm in all demos. Rotten Tomatoes critics are a blah 72% and audiences are unhappy at 57%.

Next weekend will see the boxoffice ball bouncing higher as WB/Legendary Entertainment’s PG-13 sci-fi action adventure GODZILLA X KONG opens at about 3,800 theatres.

Going into this weekend, KONG was tracking strongly and doing best with men under 25 (11 points over norm) and next best with men over 25 (10 points over norm). No Rotten Tomatoes scores are available yet.