20th Century Studios’ new sci-fi legacy sequel, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, exceeded expectations by ruling the domestic box office with a $58.5 million opening over the Mother’s Day weekend. Premium theaters provided a boost, and even Mother’s Day saw stronger than expected traffic. However, the overseas performance was softer than hoped, with China bringing in only $11.5 million, resulting in a foreign total of $72.7 million.
The worldwide bow for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is estimated to be just over $131 million, lower than the $140 million projected earlier due to underperformance in international markets. While $130 million is a good figure considering the current theatrical climate, the film’s success in the coming weeks will depend on how well it holds up in its second and third weekends. An audience Cinemascore grade of B suggests that the film may not surpass $400 million overall.
The estimated final North American cume for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is around $150 million, depending on the competition from upcoming releases. With a range of expected outcomes between $140 million and $175 million, the film’s performance over the next few weeks will be crucial. The lack of major releases in the summer market may work in the film’s favor, potentially attracting viewers who missed the opening weekend.
Other films in the box office, including The Fall Guy and Challengers, have had moderate success with good holds and steady grosses. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and Kung Fu Panda 4 continue to perform well, with both films surpassing the $500 million mark globally. Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace also made a surprising return to the top-10 after 10 days, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of the current box office landscape.
Upcoming releases such as Paramount’s Ryan Reynolds-led fantasy-comedy, If, and Garfield and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga are expected to impact Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ audience in the coming weeks. With predictions of significant fall-off in box office revenue on May 24th, the competition between these films will determine which one emerges as the breakout overperformer of the summer season. Overall, while Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes had a strong opening weekend, its long-term success will rely on sustained audience interest amidst a crowded release schedule.
