Entertainment

Godzilla King of Monsters leads box-office

Published

6 years ago

June 2, 2019

Warner Bros . ’ “ Godzilla : King of the Monsters ” stomped to the top of the box -office in its opening weekend in North American theatres, taking in an estimated $ 49 million , industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported .

But analysts called the creature feature ’ s debut disappointing . Its total for the three -day weekend came in far behind the studio’ s previous “ Godzilla ” installment ( which opened in 2014 with $ 93 million ) , and the new film cost $ 200 million to make .
The plot has eco – terrorists stealing a sonar device developed by scientist Emma ( Vera Farmiga ) to control the title monster ; her ex – husband ( Kyle Chandler ) is recruited to track it down even as Godzilla clashes with monstrous rivals like winged Mothra and three – headed Ghidorah . The film has drawn tepid reviews : The Guardian called the sound track “ thunderingly tedious . ”
Slipping to second spot was Disney ’ s live -action “ Aladdin , ” at $ 42 . 3 million . Directed by Guy Ritchie, the feel- good film stars Will Smith as the fast – talking genie and Canadian actor Mena Massoud as the wily title character as he seeks the attention of the lovely Jasmine ( Naomi Scott ) .

In third came Paramount biopic “ Rocketman , ” with Taron Egerton playing the part ( and singing the words ) of Elton John. The film , which has drawn inevitable comparisons to last year ’ s hugely popular “ Bohemian Rhapsody ” about Queen and Freddie Mercury, took in an even $ 25 million .

Egerton has garnered strong reviews , including the highest of praise from the 72 -year – old John himself , who told Hollywood Reporter that in watching the movie “ I didn ’ t think it was Taron . I thought it was me. ”
Fourth spot went to psychological thriller “ Ma ” from Universal and Blumhouse Productions , at $ 18 . 3 million — a solid opening weekend for a film that cost a mere $ 5 million to make . Octavia Spencer stars as a middle- aged woman who lets some teenagers party in her basement before things turn scary and weird .

And in fifth was Lionsgate’ s action film “ John Wick : Chapter 3 – Parabellum, ” at $ 11 . 1 million . Keanu Reaves again stars as retired hitman Wick , this time being chased by an army of killers after a large contract is put on his head .

Rounding out the weekend’ s top 10 were :