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“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” the latest installment in 20th Century Studios' celebrated primate-centric saga, has captured the box office crown with a remarkable opening, Deadline reports. According to Disney, the film raked in $6.6 million from previews alone, signaling a robust weekend debut that could rival the franchise's highest grossers.
Preview Performance and Weekend Projections
The new chapter in the “Planet of the Apes” series kicked off with $1.6 million from Wednesday night fan screenings, followed by an additional $5 million on Thursday. This initial haul matches the preview earnings of the franchise's previous installment, “War for the Planet of the Apes.” Such strong numbers place “Kingdom” above the preview takings of “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire,” which earned $4.7 million and opened to $45 million over three days. However, it trails slightly behind “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,” which garnered $7.2 million in previews before achieving a $60.4 million domestic start.
Playing in 4,075 theaters across various premium formats—including 40 Imax screens, 950 PLFs, 300 Dbox/4D Motion screens, and 90 Screen X locations—”Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is well-positioned to dominate the weekend box office. Industry analysts project that the film will gross between $50 million and $55 million in its opening weekend, aligning it closely with the performance of its predecessors.
A New Chapter Begins
Directed by Wes Ball, known for “The Maze Runner” trilogy, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” sets a new course for the franchise 300 years after the events of “War for the Planet of the Apes.” In this era, primates have assumed control of Earth, with scattered groups of primitive humans living on the periphery. The narrative follows Noa, a heroic chimp portrayed by Owen Teague, as he embarks on a perilous journey to save his family from Proximus Caesar, a tyrannical ruler played by Kevin Durand, who is on a relentless quest to find human weapons.
During his adventure, Noa encounters Mae, a pivotal human character played by Freya Allan from “The Witcher.” Mae's fate is closely tied to the potential resurgence of human civilization. The film not only explores the dynamic struggles for survival between species but also deepens the lore of the “Planet of the Apes” universe, setting the stage for further exploration in potential sequels.
Critics and audiences have warmly received “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” with both groups giving the film an 82% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Such positive feedback underscores the film's quality and its resonance with viewers, bolstering its performance at the box office.
As “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” continues to perform strongly, it not only adds a successful chapter to the franchise's storied history but also solidifies its place in the landscape of contemporary science fiction cinema. The film’s impressive debut weekend points to a vibrant future for the series, with fans eager to see how the new narratives will unfold in this ever-evolving battle for planetary dominance.
