Godzilla: King of the Monstersis go-go-going to win out the weekend, but the question remains whether it can compete with its fellow Warner Bros. Monster-Verse companions. DirectorMichael Dougherty’s creature feature took in $19.6 million on Friday night, including a mighty healthy $6.3 million in Thursday night previews. That’s a bit behindKong: Skull Island,which nabbed $20.1 million in its opening Friday before debuting to $61 million, althoughKing of the Monstershad a better Thursday night. Of course, neither had much of a chance of catching the surprise hit that was 2014’sGodzilla, which soared above expectations to a $93 million opening weekend. Basically, you have to imagine WB is aware their Kaiju series is trending down, but the door is still open for King of the Monsters to snag a $50+ million opening.
King of the Monstersis a sequel toGodzilla, a stop-gap between the Big G’s reintroduction into the mainstream and hisAdam Wingard-directed showdown with King Kong coming in 2020.Sally HawkinsandKen Watanabereprise their roles from the first film, and joining in on the monster mash action isMillie Bobby Brown,Vera Farmiga,Kyle Chandler,Bradley Whitford, andThomas Middleditch.
Meanwhile, Paramount’sElton JohnbiopicRocketmanis battling it out for second place in its first weekend. The film, which seesKingsmanstarTaron Egertontaking on the lead role, brought in $9.2 million on Friday night, behind the $11.9 million of Disney’sAladdinin that film’s second weekend. (To be fair, it’sRocketman’s R-rating going up againstAladdin’s family-film audience.) Still,Rocketmanis looking at a projected opening weekend in the $25 million range.
The Universal and Blumhouse productionMascared up $7.2 million on Friday night. The newcomer, which starsOctavia Spenceras a particularly menacing party host, will likely end its first weekend around $18-19 million, landing aboveJohn Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellumin that film’s third weekend.
Take a look at Friday’s numbers below and check back tomorrow to see a few more records get broken. (Numbers viaBox Office Mojo)
Godzilla: King of the Monsters
$19,605,000
$11,907,000
$154,604,174
$9,200,000
$7,240,000
John Wick: Chpater 3 - Parabellum
$3,000,000
$117,652,812
