Theater counts: Godzilla and Kong fight their way to widest release

April 4, 2024

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire stomped into theaters last weekend, and crushed it, with just over $80 million in its first three days, despite playing in fewer than 4,000 locations. It scored even better overseas, taking in over $115 million from 63 international markets for a worldwide start of $195.1 million while easily cruising to number one in North America and abroad. Week two will be a closer contest however with two new wide releases making their theatrical debuts.

The widest of the newcomers making their way into cinemas this week is the horror feature, The First Omen. Beginning its run in 3,375 movie houses, the supernatural horror film follows an American woman who starts to question her own faith when she uncovers a terrifying conspiracy to bring about the birth of evil incarnate in Rome. The Arkasha Stevenson-directed movie is a prequel to 1976’s, The Omen and is the fifth film in the The Omen franchise to get a theatrical release. Nell Tiger Free stars in the latest installment with Bill Nighy, Ralph Ineson, and Sônia Braga co-starring.

Also arriving to theaters for the first time is action-thriller revenge movie, Monkey Man, directed by, and starring, Dev Patel. Inspired by the legend of Hanuman, an icon embodying strength and courage, Monkey Man follows a young fighter named Kid (Patel) who sets out on a campaign to hunt down a group of corrupt leaders who are responsible for his mother’s death. Universal Pictures debuted a 30-second trailer during this year’s Super Bowl. The film will kick off in 3,029 theaters.

Rounding out the top five widest releases this week is the aforementioned current box office ruler in Godzilla x Kong, this week adding 87 locations for a total of 3,948 theaters. Still widely accessible is last week’s widest release and former box office topper in Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, losing 510 theaters, landing this week with 3,835 venues. Lastly, occupying the third place spot is Kung Fu Panda 4, with still plenty of viewing opportunities by playing in 3,390 cinemas.

Next week we’ll see the debuts of dystopian action movie Civil War, and Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, a remake of the 1991 film of the same name. Worthy of mentioning is Macedonian drama, Housekeeping for Beginners, which expands into 75 locations after opening in four theaters this week.

Filed under: Theater Counts, Omen, MonsterVerse, Sonia Braga, Ralph Ineson, Bill Nighy, Dev Patel, Arkasha Stevenson