Led by Dune: Part Two and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Warner Bros has crossed the $1B mark at the international box office, becoming the first studio to reach the milestone this year. Getting there in just 15 weeks, this also sets a new speed record for WB, besting the 17 weeks it took in 2018. The full international estimate through today is $1.04B.
The studio’s biggest releases this year so far are WB/Legendary Entertainment’s Dune: Part Two which has grossed $411.8M offshore through today, with the global cume at $683.9M. WB opened the Denis Villeneuve-directed sequel in 78 markets, with Legendary East handling distribution in China. Dune: Part Two was the No. 1 film both internationally and globally three weekends in a row.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, also in partnership with Legendary, has grossed $278.6M offshore through today for a worldwide cume of $436.6M. The Adam Wingard-helmed monster mash has been the No. 1 movie overseas and globally for three frames. Another seven markets have yet to open including most of the Middle East (April 18) and Japan (April 16). GxK is distributed by Legendary East in China and Toho in Japan.
Other notable films whose international box office totals contributed to the milestone in 2024 are Wonka ($164.1M), Aquaman & The Lost Kingdom ($130M), Eine Million Minuten ($13.3M in Germany) and One Life ($12.7M in the UK).
Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca, Co-Chairs & CEOs, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group said, “Crossing this incredible milestone at such an accelerated pace is a proud moment for the entire team at Warner Bros. It is a true testament to our best-in-class marketing and distribution teams around the globe, as well as our amazing creative teams and filmmakers who deliver great movies for us to champion.”
Andrew Cripps, Warner Bros. Pictures’ President of International Distribution, added, “Congratulations to our exceptionally talented global marketing and distribution teams for this remarkable achievement. We also extend our gratitude to our partners in the exhibition community for their incredible support. As Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca continue to build our theatrical film slate and create opportunities for us to work with the greatest partners in front of and behind the camera, we look forward to what more we can achieve in the future.”
WB is coming off of a strong showing at last week’s CinemaCon where it showcased such anticipated 2024 titles as George Miller’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga which will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival next month, as well as Beetlejuice Beetlejuice due in September and Joker: Folie à Deux which dances into theaters in October.