The latest installment in the Planet of the Apes series, "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes," is making waves at the box office, poised to become one of the biggest May openings with an estimated $52M-$55M haul. Despite concerns about the star power of opening films, this sequel is proving its mettle, driven largely by premium large format (PLF) and Imax screens, which account for 44% of the weekend's revenue.
With a solid fan base and positive word of mouth, fueled by strong performances in early screenings, the film is drawing audiences primarily driven by their love for the franchise. While the movie has received a B Cinemascore and slightly lower ratings compared to previous Apes films, the overall response remains positive, with 85% of CinemaScore audiences giving it an A or B rating.
Demographically, the turnout has been predominantly male, with a significant representation from the 18-34 age group. The film has also seen diverse audience demographics, with notable attendance from the South, South Central, and West regions.
On social media, anticipation for the sequel has been high, with fans expressing excitement over the continuation of the franchise's story. Despite facing challenges from other recent sci-fi releases, "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" is holding its own, with a strong presence across various digital platforms.
In contrast, other releases like "Fall Guy" and "Not Another Church Movie" are seeing mixed receptions, with varying degrees of success at the box office. Overall, the weekend box office is showing promise, signaling a positive trend compared to previous weeks.
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