Overview of the US business for the week of Monday, April 19

Warner Bros.' Godzilla vs. Kong continued its reign atop the box office for a third week, with $7.7M in ticket sales at 3,001 locations across North America.  The monster showdown has delivered a welcome shot of revenue to exhibitors, returning more than $80M over the 19 days since it opened on 3/31. Universal's R-Rated thriller Nobody continues to punch out ticket sales, maintaining second place on the weekend box office with $2.5M, and $19M after four weeks.   Sony's supernatural horror flick The Unholy grossed $2.1M in its third weekend, with a total cume to-date of $9.6M. 

Our Popcorn Previews video feature this week begins a four-part series to celebrate animated films that have drawn family audiences to theatres over the past 20 years.  We offer Part I and Part II of the Family Fun Films series with Parts III & IV to follow in the weeks ahead.

Our Industry News summary begins with a report from Los Angeles on the shocking announcement that the Pacific and ArcLight Theatres would not re-open despite the esaing of pandemic restrictions.  Last Monday, Decurion - the corporate owners of both circuits - announced that they were dissolving, a casualty of the financial strain from having to shutter their theatres beginning in March 2020.   We also highlight an article on the rehabilitation of Warner Bros.' image in the eyes of exhibitors, after the disappointment from their announcement last December that all WB features through 2021 would be released on HBO Max simultaneously with their theatrical release.

In the Hollywood Report, Martin Grove assesses the potential for surprise winners at next Sunday's Oscars.

Our Studio Release Calendar provides the schedule for film releases through mid-July. We conclude with a list of the most recent studio release changes, MPAA film ratings announcements and important new trailers released last week, including a new trailer from Universal for its F9 sequel, whose release to theatres is just over two months away, on 6/25.