Even though HBO Max subscribers had the option to stream “Godzilla vs. Kong” in the comfort of their home, plenty of moviegoers went to see the blockbuster in a theater. And that’s great news for the publicly traded owners of big multiplexes.
Warner Bros., the studio that released the film, said Sunday that “Godzilla vs. Kong” has raked in nearly $50 million at the US box office since its release last Wednesday, sending shares of AMC ( AMC) — a stock that’s incredibly popular with traders on Reddit — soaring more than 15%. Those box office numbers make the epic monster mash film the biggest Hollywood hit, by far, since the pandemic forced many theaters to shut down for a big stretch last year. Some cities are now letting theaters reopen, but at a limited capacity to start. Some moviegoers are clearly craving the big-screen experience, and that will be a boost for the likes of AMC.
