Godzilla vs Kong destroys the box office competition with a pandemic-best $32M domestic debut

After more than a year of paltry (and non-existent) opening weekends due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the box office is roaring back to life with Godzilla vs. Kong.

Warner Bros.’ massive monster mash-up debuted with a pandemic-best $32.2 million over the three-day opening weekend, with $48.5 million over its first five days, since its March 31 debut in theaters, via Deadline.

The big-screen adventure from director Adam Wingard has also been a huge hit overseas, with $236.9 million from foreign markets for a worldwide total of $285.4 million from just 12 days in theaters, while also being available worldwide on HBO Max.

Box office hit: After more than a year of paltry (and non-existent) opening weekends due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the box office is roaring back to life with Godzilla vs. Kong

The three-day total of $32.2 million was at the top of the studio’s projections for the entire five-day opening, far exceeding Warner Bros.’ expectations.

The numbers would certainly be considered ‘low’ in any other year, especially with a reported budget of $160 million.

Still, it’s the best debut since theaters shuttered due to the COVID-19 pandemic over a year ago, and it could be a sign that moviegoers are ready to return to theaters en masse.

Exceeding expectations: The three-day total of $32.2 million was at the top of the studio’s projections for the entire five-day opening, far exceeding Warner Bros.’ expectations

Godzilla vs. Kong opened in 3,064 theaters this weekend, earning an impressive $10,509 per-screen average, by far the highest since theaters shuttered last March. 

The movie continued to fare well overseas, earning an additional $76.1 million in its second weekend, just a 39% decrease from its opening weekend.

It became the fastest movie in the COVID-19 era to break $200 million worldwide, achieving the feat in just 12 days, half the time it took Tenet (24 days).

Humans: The monster extravaganza, which also featured human actors such as Millie Bobby Brown, Alexander Skarsgard, Eiza Gonzalez (above) and Kyle Chandler, also debuted on the WarnerMedia streaming service HBO Max

The monster extravaganza, which also featured human actors such as Millie Bobby Brown, Alexander Skarsgard, Eiza Gonzalez and Kyle Chandler, also debuted on the WarnerMedia streaming service HBO Max.

While WarnerMedia didn’t release any viewership data for Godzilla vs. Kong on HBO Max, Andy Forssell, EVP and General Manager of WarnerMedia Direct-to-Consumer, was seemingly pleased with the results.

‘The HBO Max audience has spoken very clearly and loudly: they love this film and are watching it more than once,’ Forssell began.

Data: While WarnerMedia didn’t release any viewership data for Godzilla vs. Kong on HBO Max, Andy Forssell, EVP and General Manager of WarnerMedia Direct-to-Consumer, was seemingly pleased with the results

‘Comparing audience metrics in the first four days since its release, Godzilla vs. Kong had a larger viewing audience than any other film or show on HBO Max since launch,’ he concluded.

Elsewhere at the box office, The Unholy debuted in second place with $3.2 million, debuting in 1,850 theaters for a $1,729 per-screen average.

Last weekend’s winner Nobody dropped to third place with just over $3 million, a 55% drop from its debut, bringing its domestic total to $11.8 million, with Raya and the Last Dragon ($2 million, $32.1 million domestic) and Tom & Jerry ($1.4 million, $39.5 million) rounding out the top 5.  

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Metrics: ‘Comparing audience metrics in the first four days since its release, Godzilla vs. Kong had a larger viewing audience than any other film or show on HBO Max since launch,’ he concluded

Another newcomer, The Girl Who Believes in Miracles, debuted in sixth with $580,068 from 640 theaters for a $906 per-screen average.

The top 10 is rounded out by The Courier ($452,201, $4,2 million domestic), Chaos Walking ($380,000, $12.2 million domestic), The Croods: A New Age ($210,000, $56.3 million domestic) and French Exit ($193,428, $200,509 domestic).

Next weekend will bring Lionsgate’s sci-fi thriller Voyagers starring Colin Farrell, Tye Sheridan and Lily-Rose Depp in wide release, with IFC Films’ Moffie in limited release.

Loving it: ‘The HBO Max audience has spoken very clearly and loudly: they love this film and are watching it more than once,’ Forssell began