MBEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) — Legendary Pictures’ latest addition to the Monsterverse franchise, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” is poised for a significant surge in box office revenue in China as the country gears up for the three-day Qingming Festival holiday starting this Thursday.
Since its debut on March 29, the film has consistently dominated the domestic box office, raking in 352 million yuan (approximately 49.61 million U.S. dollars) as of Tuesday morning. It has now claimed the title of this year’s highest-grossing imported film, surpassing “Dune: Part Two,” which amassed 336 million yuan since its release on March 8.
According to box office tracker Maoyan, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” is expected to exceed 840 million yuan in total earnings in China.
Serving as a sequel to “Godzilla vs. Kong,” which premiered in China in March 2021 and grossed 1.23 billion yuan, “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” pits the formidable Kong against the legendary Godzilla as they confront a monumental, previously unknown threat lurking in the world.
With a narrative centered around these iconic cinematic monsters from Japan and the United States, the Monsterverse films have resonated strongly with Chinese audiences, contributing to their immense popularity.
The Qingming Festival, a traditional Chinese holiday observed on the 15th day after the Spring Equinox, is a time for appreciating the spring scenery and paying respects at ancestors’ graves. However, it has also evolved into a bustling period for cultural and tourism activities across China, including visits to cinemas.
