The fourth installment of "Kung Fu Panda" made a strong debut at the domestic box office, knocking "Dune 2" from the top spot. The film garnered $58 million in the U.S., with a total worldwide box office of $80 million.
In the United States, this animated feature marked the best opening for the franchise since its inception in 2008, when the first film amassed $60 million. Interestingly, the fourth installment was notably more cost-effective, with production expenses totaling $85 million, compared to the previous entries' $150 million budget, excluding marketing costs.
Industry analysts consider the launch of "Kung Fu Panda 4" a success, although the film will likely need to surpass the $200 million mark to turn a profit.
"Dune 2" experienced a 44% decline in its second-weekend earnings in the U.S., which is still commendable for a blockbuster. It accumulated $46 million, bringing its total U.S. box office to $157 million. Surprisingly, the sequel outpaced its predecessor in the domestic market within ten days, despite the original film's simultaneous release in 2021 on HBO Max.
As of now, global box office figures for "Dune 2" are unavailable. However, considering its promising start in China, it is anticipated to surpass the $300 million threshold.
