Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire hopes to leave a big footprint when marching into theaters around the globe this weekend after starting off with a record $10 in Thursday previews, the best showing ever for Warner Bros. and Legendary’s MonsterVerse library, as well as the best preview of the year to date.
Warners is estimating a domestic weekend opening in the $45 million to $50 million range over the Easter frame, while at least one major tracking service is counting on $50 million to $55 million. Based on the preview turnout, New Empire could climb notably higher, unless it is front-loaded.
Overseas, New Empire is looking at an $80 million debut, which would put its global launch in the $135 range.
Reviewers are divided, however. The film currently sports a “rotten” score of 55 percent, well behind the last film. But early polling shows the audience much more enthusiastic.
Adam Wingard returned to direct the tentpole, stars Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry and Dan Stevens. This time out, the two mega-monsters actually decide to put aside their differences and save a mysterious force from destroying their planet.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire has no major competition to speak off and will easily find more Easter eggs than other movies, including the new Ghostbusters movie, which opened last weekend.
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