Monkey business is good: ‘Godzilla x Kong’ and ‘Monkey Man’ top the box office

Hello! Welcome to The Box Office Report for the weekend of April 5-7, 2024.

1. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Weekend gross: $31.7M
Total domestic gross: $135M
Last weekend: 1st
Percent drop: 60

In a battle of monkeys, Kong easily defeated Monkey Man. (As usual, though, Kong had Godzilla on his side to help.) Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’s reign at the top of the box office continued for a second weekend as the film added $31.7 million to its domestic haul.

The latest film in the MonsterVerse now sits right in the middle of its franchise rankings, passing Godzilla vs. Kong ($100.9 million) and Godzilla: King of the Monsters ($110.5 million) while still looking up at Kong: Skull Island ($168.1 million) and Godzilla ($200.7 million).

2. Monkey Man

Weekend gross: $10.2M
Total domestic gross: $10.2M
Last weekend: New release
Percent drop: NA

If you caught Friday’s edition of Popculturology, you heard me talk about how fantastic Dev Patel’s directorial debut is. He’s catapulted himself into the realm of action directors and action stars now.

Monkey Man had a very solid box office debut, coming in at No. 2 with $10.2 million. Patel’s film was never going to be No. 1 at this time of year, but beating blockbusters like Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Kung Fu Panda 4 and Dune: Part Two isn’t bad.