Kung Fu Panda’s Box Office Record Puts Many Marvel and DC Movies to Shame Even With a $85 Million Budget
While many people struggled to understand why a franchise as successful and satisfying as Kung Fu Panda needed a fourth movie, it seems like fans are more than happy to see Po’s journey continue. Jack Black returns as the titular character in his humorous and powerful avatar. The movie witnessed a gradual release across the globe as more and more countries premiered Kung Fu Panda 4 in mid-March. Today, the movie’s box office total stands at an all-time high, leaving behind numerous franchises that have previously smashed the charts.
Kung Fu Panda 4 Charts to the Top of the Box Office
Exceeding expectations and delighting fans worldwide, Kung Fu Panda 4 has collected over $347 million at the global box office, according to Collider. The animated fourquel is showing no signs of slowing down and will plausibly pass the $350 million milestone worldwide in just a few days. The movie has been in theatres for its fourth weekend now, with more and more fans flocking to the cinemas to witness Po’s incredible transformation from a student to now a master.
Directed by Mike Mitchell, Universal Pictures has been taking full advantage of the Kung Fu Panda brand and milking the franchise to collect as much profit as it can. The movie achieved what many recent animated flicks have struggled to envision. The fandom of the franchise is unmatched, especially given Po’s popularity among children, teens, and adults alike. Many fans have grown up with Po as he learned kung fu and mastered the art of inner peace. This adds a nostalgic component to the flick, too.
Moreover, Kung Fu Panda 4 only had a budget of $85 million. It went on to triple its budget in profits and surprised everyone with its incredible performance. Barring a few instant hits, even studios like Marvel and DC only dream of achieving such a feat. In light of the few recent failings at the box office by Marvel, the studio is now switching gears to fulfill fans’ expectations and deliver projects that bring them back to the top of the charts.
Also Read: DreamWorks’ Original Plan Makes Kung Fu Panda the Fast and Furious of Animation
Kung Fu Panda Franchise Totals Over $2 Billion Worldwide
Many people are surprised to know that Kung Fu Panda 4 is the lowest-grossing movie in the franchise. Starting from 2008 with the first movie, the franchise has been taking its legacy forward with every addition to Po’s world. Kung Fu Panda 2 is the highest-grossing movie to date, with over $664 million global collections. The cumulative franchise is quite successful in hindsight, collecting more than $2 billion globally.
Moreover, the reviews from both the audience and critics are the lowest for the fourth installment as compared to the previous three. Nonetheless, the fourth chapter in the franchise has surpassed expectations and made an impact with its empowering narrative and heartwarming characters. The movie is still playing in theatres across the globe, indicating a potential for further growth.
