Legendary/Warner Bros.'s Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is showing no signs of slowing down at the box office. After an impressive $80M Easter weekend start, the movie is projected to have a strong second weekend with a -55% to -60% drop, bringing in between $32M-$36M. The Adam Wingard directed Monsterverse title has already accumulated $87.7M in four days, with a significant portion of its audience coming from K-12 schools and colleges. The movie is expected to continue its success through the weekend, with more revenue anticipated as schools remain closed.
A couple of new releases, First Omen and Monkey Man, are entering the box office arena this weekend. Both films are targeting the 18-34 demographic, with First Omen positioned as a horror movie aimed at a slightly more female audience, while Monkey Man is likely to attract more male viewers. First Omen, a prequel to the 1976 classic, is directed by Arkasha Stevenson and is expected to play well in the middle of the country and appeal to older moviegoers. On the other hand, Monkey Man, directed by Dev Patel, is generating buzz after a successful premiere at SXSW and a high Rotten Tomatoes critics score. Both films are looking to make an impact at the box office.
In addition to the major releases, Fathom Events is bringing Someone Like You to theaters, based on the bestseller by Karen Kingsbury. The film tells the story of a young architect searching for his best friend's twin sister and unexpectedly falling in love. With a range of genres and themes, this weekend's box office offerings provide something for all types of moviegoers.
Looking at the bigger picture, the year-to-date box office for Jan. 1-March 31 is down 6% from the previous year, with a total of $1.64 billion. Despite some concerns about theater owners falling behind on rental payments, the box office is showing signs of recovery after a challenging period. The industry is beginning to see an increase in box office revenue, with audiences returning to theaters for new and exciting movie experiences.
Overall, this weekend's box office forecast showcases a mix of anticipated blockbusters, new releases, and genre offerings that cater to a diverse range of audiences. As the industry continues to navigate the changing landscape of movie distribution and exhibition, the box office remains a key indicator of audience interest and engagement with new cinematic experiences.