US box office: Godzilla Vs Kong sets pandemic record with US$48.5m debut
The monster film appears to be an indication that people are ready to return to the movies after a year of watching Netflix on the couch.
This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows a scene from "Godzilla vs. Kong." (Warner Bros. Entertainment via AP)
Godzilla Vs Kong muscled its way to a pandemic-era box office record. The movie, from Warner Bros and Legendary Entertainment, generated US$32 million over the weekend and US$48.5 million in its first five days of release, cementing a new high water mark since US theatres have reopened.
As the first box office smash in COVID-19 times, Godzilla Vs Kong appears to be an indication that people are ready to return to the movies after a year of watching Netflix on the couch. The film is also available to HBO Max subscribers for no extra fee. It's unclear how many people streamed the movie at home.
David A Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research, called opening weekend ticket sales "strong" given the "still-difficult conditions". More than 50 per cent of movie theatres in the country have reopened, but many – including those in New York City and Los Angeles – have been operating at reduced capacity to comply with pandemic safety protocols.
"While it's half of what it would be under normal circumstances, the weekend is a clear and positive indication that moviegoing has inherent strengths that aren't going away," he said.
(Source: Reuters)Â
