LOS ANGELES:

“Kong: Skull Island” is king of the Friday box office.

The monster movie from Warner Bros and Legendary Entertainment picked up $20.2 million in receipts after Friday viewings were counted, on its way to a $54 million opening weekend from 3,846 locations. With “Kong” standing alone as the only major release this weekend, “Logan” landed in second, earning $10 million from 4,071 spots. Fox’s Wolverine movie starring Hugh Jackman was expected to put the pressure on “Kong,” but now looks to land solidly in second with an additional $36 million or so by the end of the weekend. Universal and Blumhouse’s “Get Out” earned a strong $6 million in its third weekend on the way to $21 million from 3,143 theaters. The horror-thriller — written, produced and directed by Jordan Peele — should easily round out the weekend’s top three.

Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson and John Goodman make up the core cast of “Kong.” Jordan VogtRoberts directed the movie based on a script by Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein and Derek Connolly with story assistance from John Gatins. The franchise reboot currently holds a certified fresh 78% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Overseas, “Kong” earned $15.5 million on Friday after opening in 20 additional markets. Currently screening in 65 international markets total, the movie has made $27.5 million abroad. (RTRS)