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Exhibitors’ prayers for an Easter weekend mega-hit were answered as GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE opened to an over-performing $80M.

This weekend’s boxoffice sizzle is further proof that the theatrical exhibition model on which the movie business has been based for over a century is still the way to go. The legacy studios’ misguided steps during the pandemic to satisfy Wall Street’s make-a-buck passion for streaming have cost Hollywood billions of dollars and have led to the tragic loss of thousands of jobs.

Meanwhile, back at the multiplexes: WB/Legendary Entertainment’s PG-13 sci-fi action adventure GxK kicked off to $80M at 3,861 theatres ($20,720), per Comscore. Hollywood handicappers originally expected a $45-55M launch, but boosted that late in the week to $75M. GxK reportedly cost $135M to produce.

“Internationally the film pulled in an impressive $114M for a global debut of $194M,” Comscore Senior Media Analyst Paul Dergarabedian reported. GxK opened in 63 overseas markets, including China where it debuted to a dazzling $44M.

Driven by GxK, the weekend’s overall marketplace, per Comscore, totaled $136.4M, up 28.4% from the prior weekend and up 38% vs. this time last year. Comscore’s year to date tally has 2024 at $1.65B, down 6% from $1.75B in 2023.

Going into this weekend, GxK was tracking best (and huge) with men under 25 (24 points over norm) and next best with men over 25 (17 points over norm). Rotten Tomatoes critics hate it at 55%, but audiences are cheering at 93%, which typically translates into great word of mouth.

Sony/BRON Studios’ GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE was #2 in weekend two with $15.7M (-65.11%) at 4,345 theatres ($3,613). EMPIRE, which reportedly cost $100M to produce, has done $73.4M domestic with a global cume of $108.5M.

WB/Legendary Entertainment’s DUNE: PART TWO was #3 with $11.1M
(-36.96%) in weekend five at 3,136 theatres ($3,540). It’s done $252.4M domestic with a worldwide cume of $626.1M. D2 reportedly cost $190M (or more) to produce, mostly from Legendary.

Universal/DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 4 was fourth in weekend four with $10.2M (-38.19%) at 3,582 theatres ($2,848). It reportedly cost a modest (for animation) $85M to produce. KFP4’s done $151.7M domestic with a global cume of $347.3M.

Next weekend will bring two wide studio openings. Universal/BRON Studios’ R rated action thriller MONKEY MAN, from director & star Dev Patel, will be playing in about 3,000 theatres. Going into this weekend, MONKEY was tracking best with men under 25 (equal to norm). Rotten Tomatoes critics are applauding it at 93%. No audience score is available yet.

Disney/20th Century Studios’ R rated horror thriller THE FIRST OMEN will be arriving at about 3,200 theatres. Going into this weekend, OMEN was tracking doing best with women over 25 (two points over norm). No Rotten Tomatoes scores are available yet.