Kung Fu Panda 4 has roared past its predecessor at the domestic box office, raking in $153 million in the United States and Canada, surpassing Kung Fu Panda 3’s $143.5 million.
However, on a global scale, the 2024 sequel is trailing behind, nearing the $350 million mark, which falls short of Kung Fu Panda 3’s $521.2 million worldwide haul, making it the lowest-grossing film in the series internationally.
The star-studded cast of Kung Fu Panda 4 includes Jack Black reprising his role as the beloved panda Po, alongside new additions Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Ke Huy Quan, James Hong, Bryan Cranston, Dustin Hoffman, and Ian McShane.
The latest installment in Po’s journey hit theaters on March 8, outpacing the release of another high-profile sequel, the sci-fi epic Dune: Part Two.
Kung Fu Panda 4 (DreamWorks)
Critically, Kung Fu Panda 4 hasn’t quite achieved the knockout success of its predecessors. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 72%, it lags behind the previous films, which scored over 81%. Critics agree it’s a worthy addition to the franchise, with standout performances from the voice cast.
Our review highlights Awkwafina’s fresh energy, saying she “breathes needed excitement into a stale franchise,” and praises the film’s dynamic action scenes. However, a weak subplot detracts from the main storyline. Despite mixed reviews, the film is a hit with audiences, boasting an impressive 86% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, surpassing all previous entries in the series.
Kung Fu Panda 4: Po’s Journey Continues… Eight Years Later
The continuation of Po’s adventure took eight long years to reach the big screen, following Kung Fu Panda 3’s 2016 premiere. According to director Mike Mitchell, the delay was necessary to perfect Po’s story:
Kung Fu Panda 4 (DreamWorks)
“When I was producing the third film, we thought, ‘Wow, we’re really wrapping up.’ For this one, we waited until we were sure we had the right story. It’s all about finding that perfect story. We didn’t want to just make another one. It had to evolve Po and advance him to the next level,” Mitchell explained.
Kung Fu Panda 4 is co-directed by Stephanie Ma Stine and written by Darren Lemke, Jonathan Aibel, and Glenn Berger. Produced by Rebecca Huntley and distributed by Universal Pictures, the film follows Po as he steps into the role of Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace.
Tasked with finding and training a new Dragon Warrior, Po faces a new threat from a wicked sorceress (Davis) who plans to resurrect all the master villains he has previously defeated. Awkwafina joins the cast as Zhen, a corsac fox who aids Po on his quest.
The franchise’s latest adventure, Kung Fu Panda 4, may not have topped its predecessors at the global box office or with critics, but it continues to entertain audiences, delivering excitement, humor, and heart as Po’s journey evolves once more.
