20th Century Studios’ latest entry in the beloved “Planet of the Apes” franchise, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” has made a strong debut at the box office. The film earned a remarkable $22.2 million from 4,075 theaters on its opening day, including $6.6 million from Thursday night previews. This impressive figure puts “Kingdom” on track to reach an estimated $52-56 million over its debut weekend, a performance that aligns with the opening numbers of the previous three installments in the series.
While “Kingdom” may not surpass the franchise’s opening weekend record, held by 2014’s “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” with $72 million, it is expected to come close to the openings of “War for the Planet of the Apes” ($56.2 million) and “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” ($54.8 million). This consistency in box office performance demonstrates the enduring appeal of the “Apes” franchise and its ability to attract audiences with each new installment.
Mixed Reviews from Critics and Audiences, but Still a Solid Start
Despite its strong opening-day numbers, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” has received mixed reactions from both critics and moviegoers. The film currently holds an 80% rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, indicating generally positive reviews from critics. However, this score is slightly lower than the critical acclaim received by some of the previous “Apes” films, suggesting that “Kingdom” may not have quite reached the same level of critical success.
Similarly, “Kingdom” earned a “B” grade on CinemaScore, a market research firm that surveys opening-night audiences. While a “B” grade is still considered a good score, it falls short of the “A-” grade earned by “War for the Planet of the Apes” and the “A” grade given to “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” These audience reactions suggest that while “Kingdom” has been well-received overall, it may not have quite captured the same level of enthusiasm as its predecessors.
A New Chapter in the “Apes” Saga, Helmed by Wes Ball
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” marks the beginning of a new trilogy in the “Apes” franchise, set 300 years after the events of “War for the Planet of the Apes.” In this new world, intelligent apes have become the dominant species on Earth, while humans live in primitive societies on the outskirts of civilization. The story follows a heroic chimpanzee named Noa, played by Owen Teague, who must venture beyond the boundaries of his clan to save his family from the clutches of Proximus Caesar, a despotic ruler portrayed by Kevin Durand.
As Noa navigates this treacherous landscape, he encounters a young human woman named Mae, played by Freya Allan of “The Witcher” fame. Mae’s role in the story becomes increasingly important as it becomes clear that she may hold the key to the survival of the human race. Together, Noa and Mae must forge an unlikely alliance to confront the tyrannical Proximus Caesar and protect their respective communities.
Directing this new chapter in the “Apes” saga is Wes Ball, best known for his work on “The Maze Runner” trilogy. Ball brings his experience in crafting thrilling, action-packed adventures to the “Apes” franchise, infusing “Kingdom” with a fresh perspective while staying true to the series’ core themes of survival, empathy, and the blurred lines between human and ape.
Other Notable Box Office Performers
While “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” has dominated headlines, several other films have made their mark on the box office charts. In second place, Universal’s “The Fall Guy,” starring Ryan Gosling as a Hollywood stuntman and Emily Blunt as a rising director, is projected to surpass a $50 million domestic total in its sophomore outing. The action-romance earned $3.5 million from 4,008 theaters on its second Friday, a 66% drop from its opening day.
Holding steady in third place is Amazon MGM’s “Challengers,” a tennis love-triangle drama that earned $5 million from 2,609 locations in its second weekend, down 34% from its prior frame. Despite its $55 million production budget, “Challengers” is expected to push beyond $38 million through Sunday, a respectable performance for a more niche offering.
Sony and Screen Gem’s low-budget horror film “Tarot” continues to perform well, holding the No. 4 spot on domestic charts after earning $1 million on its second Friday from 3,104 locations. The film is projecting $3.2 million for the weekend, bringing its domestic tally to $11.7 million. This strong performance demonstrates the ongoing appeal of the horror genre and the potential for low-budget films to find success at the box office.
Rounding out the top five is Legendary Entertainment’s “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” which is looking at $2.5 million for the three-day frame in its seventh weekend of release. This will push the film’s domestic total to an impressive $191 million, making it the year’s second-highest-grossing movie to date. The continued success of “Godzilla x Kong” showcases the enduring popularity of the iconic kaiju franchises and their ability to draw audiences week after week.
The Future of the “Apes” Franchise
As “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” kicks off a new trilogy in the beloved franchise, its box office performance and audience reception will be closely watched by fans and industry insiders alike. While the film may not reach the same heights as some of its predecessors in terms of critical acclaim or opening weekend numbers, its strong debut nonetheless demonstrates the continued appeal of the “Apes” series.
With director Wes Ball at the helm and a talented cast bringing new characters to life, “Kingdom” sets the stage for an exciting new era in the “Planet of the Apes” universe. As the story of Noa, Mae, and the struggle between apes and humans unfolds, audiences can look forward to thrilling action, thought-provoking themes, and the same high-quality filmmaking that has defined the franchise for decades.
As the box office landscape continues to evolve in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the success of “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” and other notable performers like “The Fall Guy,” “Challengers,” “Tarot,” and “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” offers a promising sign for the future of cinema. With a diverse array of films catering to various tastes and demographics, the movie industry appears poised for a strong recovery and an exciting year ahead.
Information Sources: Variety and IMDb.
