Godzilla x Kong is off to a strong start at the Chinese box office

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire The film had a suitably thunderous start at the theatrical box office in China on Friday. The film had grossed about $7 million (50 million Chinese yuan) by 3 p.m. local time in Beijing, according to ticket service Maoyan.

Maoyan currently expects the monster movie to gross up to $105 million in China. That would be a significant step down from the massive $188.7 million Godzilla vs. Kong It hit the country in 2021, but it’s easily the best performance for a Hollywood film there in months. Denis Villeneuve Sand Dunes: Part Two It is currently the highest grossing American title in China for 2024 at just over $45 million (topping Sand Dunes: Part OneDomestic gross: $39.5 million).

New Empire It benefits from particularly strong social scores so far, averaging a 9.6 on Alibaba’s Taopiaopiao ticketing platform and a 9.4 on Maoyan.

The new film is Warners and Legendary’s fifth installment in the MonsterVerse series, following the events of Godzilla vs. Kongwhere fans finally got to see two Kaijus fighting for supremacy. New Empire Delve into the mysteries of the Hollow Earth and uncover the threat of titans that necessitates an unholy alliance between Godzilla and Kong.

Godzilla vs. Kong Director Adam Wingard returns to direct the sequel, reuniting with returning cast members Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry and Kylie Hotel. Dan Stevens has joined the franchise as the new captain.