Hollywood film Godzilla Vs. Kong has established a new global record for pandemic-era filmgoing. The film brought in $385 million (€205m) considering opening two weeks past.
The strong showing came continued limits on presence in several areas, bringing hope to an industry that’s been battered by the virus.
The $48.5 million the film brought in during the first five days from the US outpaced the weekend debut of the Godzilla franchise’s last film.
In general, the film has made more than $236m out of the US, though it has been started in some important markets, including Japan, Brazil and lots of pieces of western Europe. Over half the sales were in China.
“The numbers do not lie – it’s apparent that where audiences are prepared to safely go back to the theatre, they have, and we’re thrilled with the results,” said Jeff Goldstein, president of domestic distribution for manufacturer Warner Bros, which supplied that the figures together with co-producer Legendary Entertainment.
Theatre operators also cheered the operation at the box office, regardless of the film available for streaming on the HBO Max service.
“it’s apparent that where audiences are prepared to safely go back to the theatre” – Jeff Goldstein
IMAX reported that more than 1,000 showings sold out at its cinemas, together with chief executive Rich Gelfond calling the film a”symbol of the enduring strength of the theatrical experience for blockbuster filmmaking”.
In the US, Godzilla Vs. Kong reported more than $32 million for the opening weekend – roughly double that of Wonder Woman: 1984, which previously had the largest opening of the pandemic.
In recent weeks, cinemas in the important markets of New York and Los Angeles have already been allowed to reopen with limitations on presence for the first time because of the pandemic.
