SATURDAY UPDATE: Much as it is domestically, Warner Bros/Legendarys Godzilla: King Of The Monsters is sinking overseas versus earlier industry estimates with an opening weekend now on either side of $130M at the international box office. The mash made $31.4M on Friday in 75 markets for an offshore cume through yesterday of $48.2M. The 2014 Godzilla bowed to $140M in like-for-like overseas markets at unadjusted rates.
So whats happening here and why were the pre-weekend estimates so off? While it appears that creature feature fans — and those who have warmed to this particular giant beast in the past — are keen on the film, general moviegoers arent making a beeline. One international distribution source suggests folks may feel like this is a rehash. Posits this person, “Whats the difference between this one and the 2014 movie in peoples minds?”
The “who-is-this-film-for?” question indeed has some folks scratching their heads. “Seeing a giant sea monster fight other giant creatures as the key moments in a picture lacks the audiences ability to have an emotional journey tied to the central character,” notes another source.
The film was built for the Asian markets, and the bulk of international promotion was done in China and Japan. Many of the smaller and more emerging SE Asia hubs are giving off No. 1s, as expected. Japan, Godzillas home market, bowed to $2.2M on Friday on over 600 screens (via WBs partners at Toho) to rank No. 1 and outperform all comps including +37% over the previous Godzilla.
As noted yesterday, China is coming in softer than projected. Not included in the total above is the Saturday flash estimate from Legendary East which is an estimated $30M (RMB 210M). That lifts the Middle Kingdoms running cume to $48M through Saturday. Today was the Childrens Day holiday, and the Sunday drop is expected to be steep. We are seeing a potential $67M-$70M launch for the three-day.
Elsewhere in Asia, and although it is not a major monster market, Korea is just head-over-heels for Bong Joon-hos Cannes Palme dOr winner Parasite with over $17M through Saturday versus Godzillas $1.67M, per local reporting outfit Kobiz. The monsters are in 3rd position behind that film and Aladdins hold.
Another issue is the staying power of Disneys Aladdin which is expected to be No. 1 throughout Latin America when full-weekend estimates are tallied on Sunday. Thats not a major surprise since the region leans into family fare, but Europe is also meh on the monsters. There is extra competition in the UK, not only from Aladdin, but also Rocketman and The Secret Life Of Pets 2 (plus fantastic weather and a major football match tonight). Regardless, Godzilla is anything but king there with a No. 4 bow.
Below is a look at the individual markets that opened on Friday as well as the cumes in those that bowed Wednesday and Thursday. Well have a full update on Sunday.
On Friday, Mexico opened to $1.2M from 2,668 screens, ranking No. 2. The opening day is over Godzilla by 25% and on par with Kong: Skull Island.
India debuted to an estimated $543K from 1,721 screens, ranking No. 1. In Vietnam, the gross was $401K on 710 screens for No. 1 and 66% of the Top 5 titles on Friday. Thats ahead of nearly all comps, including Godzilla but not Kong: Skull Island which had special status in the market as it partially shot there.
Elsewhere in Asia, Indonesia has a $2.2M cume after three days and is running a close No. 2; Taiwan has cumed $1.9M after three days at No. 1; Malaysia has $1.1M at No. 1 after two days; Thailand is still dominating at No. 1 with $1M, also after two days; and Hong Kong is at $523K from Thursday and Friday.
In Europe, the UK has grossed $2.5M in three days while France is at $1.8M also after three. Germany in two days has made $1.3M and Russia $1.1M.
Australia has taken $696K at No. 3 after two days. Rocketman has blasted off both there (at No. 2) and in New Zealand where it is expected to be the No. 1 film this weekend.
More to come on Sunday…
PREVIOUS, FRIDAY UPDATE: Warner Bros/Legendarys Godzilla: King Of The Monsters started thrashing about overseas on Wednesday, taking $12.7M from approximately 16,500 screens in 51 markets through Thursday. Openings in Asia (outside Korea) are so far, and predictably, the best results with No. 1s in several. Europe is not crushing on the creature feature in early play, however, and the revised projected weekend at the international box office now looks closer to $150M than the $170M-$190M the industry saw ahead of the session. Latin America is still to weigh in. In like-for-like markets, but unadjusted for exchange rate fluctuation, 2014s Godzilla bowed to $140M.
Not included in the above total is the early China flash from today which Legendary East has coming in at an estimated $18M (RMB 124.5M). The movie is a solid No. 1 in the Middle Kingdom and has a combined $21.8M (RMB 150.9M) including sneaks through Friday. The figures are above 2014s Godzilla (+94%). China has the Childrens Day holiday on Saturday which could help boost play. Nevertheless, the opening weekend now looks closer to $70M for the three-day.
The swing on this movie was always about China, although we understand the recoup in the market will be the standard 25%. The Michael Dougherty-directed mash kicked off in the Middle Kingdom with a solid 9 score on ticketing platform Maoyan, but has dipped to an 8.8 today. Japan, which has a discount ticket day tomorrow, will also be key to play.
One market where Godzilla is perhaps more irate than usual has to be Korea in which Read More – Source
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