The film from 20th
The strong performance for “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” — it played even better internationally with a global total of
“Planet of the Apes” easily made more than the rest of the top 10 combined.
“The Fall Guy” fell to No. 2 with a
Zendaya's “Challengers” was third with
The opening for “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” helmed by “Maze Runner” director
It's the 10th movie in the “Planet of the Apes” franchise that began in 1968 with the Charlton Heston original with a twist ending.
“This franchise has never been allowed to lose its momentum,” said
And it really is the property itself. The new film shares no central actors or characters with its predecessors.
“There’s just this love for the way it melds sci-fi with social commentary and straight-up popcorn entertainment,” Dergarabedian said.
“Kingdom” came with strong reviews and positive buzz (80% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and a "B" CinemaScore). It was especially praised for its visual effects and the way its CGI has caught up with its primates-on-horseback aesthetic even since the last film, 2017's “War for the Planet of the Apes.”
The shot in the arm is welcome for the movie business, but there is little certainty in the forthcoming summer.
The year so far, lacking an early Marvel movie like 2023's “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” is running 21% last year's mid-May total.
While there are potential blockbusters that feel like safe bets including “Despicable Me 4” and “Deadpool & Wolverine” in July, others like “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” later this month and “Twisters” later in the summer feel like they could break either way.
Pixar once brought almost guaranteed hits, but June's “Inside Out 2” may not thrive like the 2015 original.
“There used to be sure bets we cannot necessarily bank on anymore,” Dergarabedian said. ”It is going to be a bit of a hit-or-miss slate.”
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at
1. “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,”
2. "The Fall Guy,”
3. “Challengers,”
4. “Tarot,”
5. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,”
6. “Unsung Hero,”
7. “Kung Fu Panda 4,”
8. “Civil War,”
9. “Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace,”
10. “Abigail,”
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