Godzila or Godzilla OR Gojira?
The summer’s second tentpole — likely launching a new Hollywood franchise — opens to $103 million overseas for a global total of $196.2 million; Jon Hamm’s sports drama “Million Dollar Arm” muted.
Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla debuted to a monstrous $93.2 million from 3,952 theaters at the domestic box office, giving the iconic giant lizard a new lease on life and delivering the second-best opening of the year.
Overseas, the $160 million movie debuted to $103 million from 64 markets for a global total of $196.2 million for Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros.
PHOTOS: ‘Godzilla’ Premiere Invades L.A.
Godzilla was so strong on Friday in North America that some box office observers believed it could approach $98 million for the weekend. Either way, the movie’s debut far exceeded expectations. Males fueled the film (58 percent), and especially younger males, a demo that is harder and harder to lure to the multiplex.
Overall, 40 percent of ticket buyers were under the age of 40. While Godzilla received a B+ CinemaScore overall, the younger demo gave it an A CinemaScore.
Marking the summer’s second tentpole, Godzilla delivered the second-best opening of the year so far after Captain America: The Winter Soldier ($95 million) and bested the $91.6 million opening of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 two weeks ago.
The $160 million movie did especially strong business in fanboy friendly Imax theaters, which turned in 15 percent of the overall gross with $13.5 million from 352 locations, putting the theater average at a stellar $40,057. And more than half of the movie’s earnings came from 3D locations, an especially strong showing.
Godzilla, finally launching a Hollywood studio franchise headlined by the giant lizard, is a defining moment for Legendary Pictures, which spearheaded the reboot. Thomas Tull’s Legendary financed 75 percent of Godzilla, with Warner Bros. putting up the rest of the money.
read more at: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-godzilla-opens-monstrous-705168
