The massive success of “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” continued this weekend, as the Legendary and Warner Bros. Monsterverse sequel dominated the box office for a second straight week. However, the new releases “Monkey Man” and “The First Omen” put up a strong fight, showcasing the competitive nature of the current theatrical landscape.
“Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” pulled in an estimated $30 million in its second weekend, down 63% from its impressive $80 million debut. The film has now grossed over $133 million domestically and more than $200 million worldwide, cementing its status as a bonafide hit.
In the battle for second place, Universal’s “Monkey Man” narrowly edged out 20th Century Studios’ “The First Omen.” The Dev Patel-led action thriller “Monkey Man” earned an estimated $10.5 million in its opening weekend, while the horror prequel “The First Omen” brought in around $8 million.
While both new releases fell short of their $12 million+ projections, “Monkey Man” appears to be in the stronger financial position, having been acquired by Universal for less than $10 million. “The First Omen,” with a production cost of over $30 million, faces a steeper climb to recoup its investment.
Audiences seemed to respond slightly better to “Monkey Man,” which earned a B+ CinemaScore compared to “The First Omen’s” C rating. “Monkey Man” also attracted a more diverse crowd, with 38% Caucasian, 25% Latino and Hispanic, 14% Black, and 17% Asian theatergoers.
In contrast, “The First Omen” skewed more towards Caucasian (39%) and Latino/Hispanic (39%) viewers, with less representation from other demographics.
The marketing campaigns for the two films also differed in their approach, with Universal spending significantly more on TV spots for “Monkey Man” than Warner Bros. did for “Godzilla x Kong.” The “Monkey Man” campaign pulled in 331 million impressions, compared to 265 million for “The First Omen.”
As the summer blockbuster season approaches, the box office battle is heating up. While “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” continues to reign supreme, the newcomers “Monkey Man” and “The First Omen” have managed to carve out their own pieces of the pie, showcasing the diverse range of content available to moviegoers.
