In a global box office that’s still licking its wounds from the strike, here’s something to scream about: Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is the highest grossing movie in the Legendary and Warner Bros Monsterverse franchise at $570M around the world.
That beats previous Monsterverse champ 2017’s Kong Skull Island which stomped to $568.6M. Broken out New Empire‘s grosses are $373.7M abroad and $196.3M domestic. Overall, New Empire is the highest grossing Monsterverse title in 35 markets including Brazil, Colombia, France, India, Indonesia, Mexico and UAE.
Props here to Warner Bros marketing, but also the global distribution team. Realize this: Sony’s Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire was originally on Easter weekend. Then the Culver City lot moved that movie up to March 22. This created a golden opportunity for Warners to step in and take over holy weekend, which has historically been a rich launchpad for the studio with Clash of the Titans, Ready Player One, and even the last Godzilla vs Kong back in 2021 (even though it was day-and-date on Max, it still delivered a $48.1M domestic opening). New Empire was originally expected to do $45M over the Easter weekend, but overindexed to $80M domestic, $194M WW.
Also, the Adam Wingard directed installment, his second after 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong ($470.1M WW), is the second highest grossing Hollywood movie of 2024 to date after Legendary/Warner Bros.’ Dune: Part Two ($711.8M). For anyone thinking moviegoing is dead, get it right: It just hinges on intriguing product and this monster-mash, even in its silent moments, was arguably a movie many had not even seen before in this genre, even in regards to its campiness.
On the domestic side, 2014’s Godzilla is still the highest grossing out of five movies with $200.6M. New Empire‘s offshore cume is the second best for the Monsterverse franchise after Kong Skull: Island‘s $400.6M.
Very interesting takeaway: In India, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is the highest grossing Warner Bros movie of all-time with $16M. It’s also the studio’ biggest movie in Cambodia.
Monsters, even if they’re from the U.S., still work in China; a market post-Covid which hasn’t been Hollywood friendly; not to mention local movies overpower Middle Kingdom marquees. New Empire minted $132.4M there, making it the highest grossing offshore territory for the film. Out of the five movies, New Empire ranks fourth in China after Godzilla vs. Kong ($188.7M), Kong: Skull Island ($168.1M) and Godzilla: King of the Monsters ($135.4M) — unadjusted for currency fluctuations and inflation.
Other top-grossing territories for New Empire include Mexico ($33.7M), UK ($18.1M), India, France ($12.4M), Australia ($12.3M), Japan ($10.8M), Indonesia ($9.2M), Brazil ($8.4M), Taiwan ($7.7M), Germany ($7.1M) and Spain ($6.8M).
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire cost a net of $135M before P&A, 75% funded by Legendary, with Warner Bros covering 25%.