Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment's latest monster blockbuster, 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,' has roared into theaters with an impressive $37 million opening day and preview screenings. The film, which cost $135 million to produce, is off to a strong start, surpassing earlier projections and receiving positive audience feedback with an 'A-' Cinema Score.
'The New Empire' sees the iconic monsters Godzilla and Kong teaming up to take on formidable foes, delighting fans of the kaiju genre. Despite mixed reviews, the film's box office performance indicates that audiences are embracing the epic showdown between these legendary creatures.
In the competitive box office landscape, Sony's 'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' is facing tough competition from the monster mash. The supernatural action comedy is projected to earn $15.5 million in its second weekend, a significant drop from its opening weekend numbers. The film's predecessor, 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife,' had a stronger second weekend performance, benefiting from the Thanksgiving holiday frame.
Meanwhile, DreamWorks Animation's 'Kung Fu Panda 3' is holding its ground, aiming for another $10 million weekend to push its domestic total past $150 million. The film is on track to surpass the domestic earnings of its predecessors, solidifying its place in the successful franchise.
In the sci-fi realm, 'Dune: Part Two' continues to perform well, despite facing competition from 'Godzilla x Kong.' The Denis Villeneuve-directed sequel is on track to reach an impressive $250 million domestic total, solidifying its position as one of the year's biggest hits.
Rounding out the top five is Neon's horror film 'Immaculate,' which is projected to earn $3.1 million in its latest weekend. The film, starring Sydney Sweeney, is expected to surpass $10 million domestically, marking a successful run for the modestly budgeted production.
