“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” took the top spot at the weekend box office with a $56.5 million opening in North America, as reported by studio estimates on Sunday. This success provided a much-needed boost to a season of uncertainty in theaters.
The film, a continuation of the “Apes” trilogy from 20th Century Studios and Disney, marked the third-highest opening of the year, trailing only behind “Dune: Part Two” and “Kung Fu Panda 4.” With a global total of $129 million, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” performed even better internationally.
The strong performance of “Planet of the Apes” came after a lackluster start for “The Fall Guy,” indicating a potential decline in the summer of 2024 compared to the success of 2023.
In other box office news, “The Fall Guy” dropped to second place with a $13.7 million weekend, while Zendaya’s “Challengers” secured the third spot with $4.7 million.
Directed by Wes Ball, the opening of “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” was the second-best in the series, following 2014’s “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes.” Despite being the tenth installment in the franchise, it maintains the momentum and appeal of its predecessors.
Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for Comscore, noted the enduring popularity of the franchise, attributing it to the unique blend of sci-fi, social commentary, and entertainment. The film received strong reviews and positive buzz, particularly for its visual effects and CGI enhancements.
While the success of “Kingdom” is a positive sign for the movie industry, uncertainties remain for the forthcoming summer season. With no early Marvel release this year, the box office is currently running behind last year’s figures. While some potential blockbusters like “Despicable Me 4” and “Deadpool & Wolverine” seem like safe bets, others such as “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” and “Twisters” could go either way.
Dergarabedian emphasized the shift in the industry landscape, where previously guaranteed hits are no longer certain, making the upcoming slate a mix of hits and misses.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” $56.5 million.
2. “The Fall Guy,” $13.7 million.
3. “Challengers,” $4.7 million.
4. “Tarot,” $3.45 million.
5. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” $2.5 million.
6. “Unsung Hero,” $ 2.25 million.
7. “Kung Fu Panda 4,” $2 million.
8. “Civil War,” $1.8 million.
9. “Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace,” $1.5 million.
10. “Abigail,” $1.1 million.
