Sources have revealed that the highly-anticipated movie, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, produced by 20th Century Studios, has had a promising start at the box office. Previews alone have brought in an impressive $6.5 million, which includes earnings from Thursday night showings starting at 3 PM as well as $1.6 million from Wednesday fan screenings that commenced at 7 PM.
It is speculated that Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes might set a new record for the highest earnings on a Thursday night for an Apes movie. Surpassing the $5 million made by War for the Planet of the Apes in 2017 on its preview night, it is expected to exceed its $22.1 million Friday and $56.2 million opening weekend. This sequel, directed by Wes Ball and rated PG-13, continues the storyline 300 years after the events of the previous film, War for the Planet of the Apes.
Despite the high expectations, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes has managed to impress critics and audiences alike. With a commendable 82% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from both critics and audiences, it seems to be a crowd-pleaser. This positive reception is a stark contrast to the disappointing performance of Universal’s Fall Guy last weekend, which only earned $3.15 million during its Wednesday and Thursday previews and had a lackluster $27.7 million opening.
As the movie continues its theatrical run, fans eagerly anticipate how Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will fare over the weekend. Clocking in at 2 hours and 25 minutes, it remains to be seen if the film can maintain its momentum and attract a wider audience beyond the dedicated fans who show up for Thursday night screenings. With its strong start and positive reviews, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes seems poised for success in the competitive landscape of summer blockbusters.