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The blockbuster worldwide success of creature feature Godzilla Vs. Kong has suggested that cinema still has a big part to play in entertainment during the time of Covid, with the battle of the behemoths grossing more than $385 million since it opened two weeks ago.
The Warner Bros film’s staggered release – which saw it open in cinemas in the Far East and China initially and now available in the Middle East and a smattering of other territories and on video-on-demand in others (like the UK) – has proved a draw for audiences, and in the US (where some states have cinemas back open again) it took $48.5 million during its first five days.
The release started on March 24 for some territories and will continue rolling out through April and May.
But the success of the film really lies in the international territories. More than $236 million of the takings have come outside the US, with more than half the sales in China. This despite the fact that many key markets, such as Brazil, parts of Western Europe, and Japan have yet to open the film.
Perhaps the fact that the Godzilla and King Kong set about destroying large chunks of Hong Kong as they take on a mechanised monster might make it especially appealing to China and other Fear Eastern territories, but as Jeff Goldstein, president of domestic distribution for producer Warner Bros, says:” "The numbers don't lie - it's clear that wherever audiences are ready to safely return to the theatre, they have, and we're thrilled with the results."
