‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ Creates Panda-monium with No. 1 Debut
An all-star ensemble of voice actors returned for the highly anticipated fourth installment in the franchise. Learn more about the film below.
The animated action comedy had a kung fu-rious comeback at the weekend box office – earning an estimated $58.3 million from domestic theaters. Not only does that mean it won the top spot at the box office, but it also had the strongest opening for the series since the 2008 original.
In this latest installment, Po, the Dragon Warrior, is ready to finally relax as the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace after three terrifying adventures battling nefarious villains. But before he can assume his new position, he must find and train a new Dragon Warrior. Plus, there’s been talk of a wicked, powerful sorceress named Chameleon who wants to steal Po’s Staff of Wisdom to re-summon all the master villains Po previously defeated.
“‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ is the best movie of the franchise.” The Daily Beast
Jack Black returns as Po, along with franchise veterans Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, Bryan Cranston and Ian McShane. New members to the voice ensemble include Awkwafina, Viola Davis and Ke Huy Quan.
The Universal and DreamWorks Animation film received an “A-” CinemaScore and currently holds an 88 percent Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics also enjoyed the PG-film. The Daily Beast named it the best in the franchise and Deadline called it “vibrant and fresh.” The Associated Press wrote: “The series’ first new installment in eight years is a reliably funny, sweet and wonderfully realized passing of the torch, with a paw in the past and another in the future – an elegant goodbye and a hello.”