Is Kung Fu Panda 4 the Key to a Reinvigorated 2024 Box Office?

 With Dune: Part Two having finally powered up the 2024 box office, it's time to build on that impetus if the wider box office recovery is to continue. There could be another strong contender lurking in the wings for this weekend’s releases- but it will doubtless surprise you to learn that this hope lies with the fourth installment of the animated Kung Fu Panda saga! Blake & Wang P.A. entertainment attorney Los Angeles, Brandon Blake, has more on this ironic twist for us.


                                                                        Brandon Blake

Two $40M Grosses on the Cards

For the first time since July 2023 and the Barbenheimer dual release, we have a chance at not one, but two, films grossing over $40M this weekend. In fact, those figures may top $50M!

While Dune: Part Two has had the benefit of massive hype and anticipation, Kung Fu Panda 4 may well turn out to be the more profitable production. Dune: Part Two has already grossed over $100M globally, and is anticipated to close at around the $225M mark. The last installment in the Kung Fu Panda franchise, released in 2016, grossed about $175M domestically and $600M globally (adjusted to modern ticket prices), at a considerably lower production cost.

The Animated Drawcard

Animated theatrical releases are a cornerstone for the family market. This will be the first major animation release for the year, from a tried and trusted franchise. It will have no competition until Sony releases its The Garfield Movie, currently scheduled for late May. Additionally, its initial release month will overlap with most countries’ school holidays and Easter breaks- prime time for that particular demographic. This is, after all, the same time of year that helped propel The Super Mario Bros. Movie to amazing success last year.


Will it reach the same heights as Dune: Part Two or Super Mario? By the raw numbers, that’s unlikely. However, with a production budget of a staggering $100M less than Dune’s, and great timing for its target market, we may see Kung Fu Panda come out ahead on the profitability stakes. Even if it doesn’t reach that benchmark, however, the news of a realistic double-billing with $40M potential will be a welcome breath of fresh air to what has been a sluggish 2024 box office. That alone is worth celebrating.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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