NEW DELHI: Adam Wingard's Godzilla vs Kong was one of the most-anticipated films of the year, though with many big-budget movies getting pushed back due to the pandemic, stakeholders were jittery if the monster action flick would come to cinemas. However, the movie had its international theatrical release on 24 March 2021. Amid the Covid2019 scare, the film was warmly welcomed by audiences all across the globe, and viewers praised Legendary Pictures for expanding its 'Monsterverse' with another epic outing.
Godzilla vs Kong creating a storm globally
Even though the film had its international release on 24 March, Godzilla vs Kong hit cinemas in the US on 31 March. On the second weekend, the film topped the US domestic box office by collecting $13.4 million, thus bringing the monster mashup's stateside haul to $69.5 million, an impressive figure in the midst of a global pandemic.
On the first weekend, Godzilla vs Kong collected $32.2 million at the domestic box office. Industry experts consider this figure phenomenal as the film had a simultaneous OTT release on HBO Max.
According to a report published in Reuters, Godzilla vs Kong is now the top-grossing film of the pandemic era, bypassing Christopher Nolan’s science fiction action thriller Tenet, which grossed $58.4 million at the US box office. Ilya Naishuller's action thriller Nobody starring Bob Odenkirk is also enjoying a decent theatrical run, with $15.6 million in collections at the US box office after three weeks of release.
Godzilla vs Kong makes waves at Indian box-office
Even though the country is battling a second Covid wave, Godzilla vs Kong is making bank at the Indian box-office as well. In the initial days of its release, most of the multiplexes in India that screened Godzilla vs Kong recorded an attendance of 30 to 35 per cent. Even though the exact collection figures of the monster movie in India are not available, industry experts reveal that the film is already a profitable venture for distributors.
Elara Capital vice president & research analyst (media & consumer discretionary) Karan Taurani noted that the success of Godzilla vs Kong hints at the fact that audiences will visit theatres to watch movies that demand a theatrical watch.
"OTT releases are the necessity of the current scenario. But at the same time, audiences are not hesitant to visit theatres to enjoy movies that demand a theatrical watch. Consider the example of Godzilla vs Kong. The film which offers a visual extravaganza is enjoying a spectacular run at the Indian box-office. If big movies like these continue hitting the theatres, it will surely revive the exhibition industry in India," said Taurani.
