'King Kong: Skull Island' passes $500M milestone at the global box office

April 7 (UPI) -- Kong: Skull Island, the creature feature starring Brie Larson and Tom Hiddleston, has crossed the $500 million mark at the worldwide box office.

The announcement was made Thursday by Sue Kroll, president of worldwide marketing and distribution for Warner Bros. Pictures, and Mary Parent, vice chairman of worldwide production for Legendary.

"Kong: Skull Island has taken audiences and critics on a thrilling ride, resulting in strong word-of-mouth and repeat business. These tremendous results speak not only to the powerful legacy of this mythic icon but also the crowd-pleasing monster movie director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, his cast and fellow filmmakers have delivered. We congratulate them and our partners at Legendary Pictures and Tencent Pictures on reaching this benchmark."

"Kong reaching this global milestone is fantastic news for the movie," added Parent. "We're also thrilled to have another firmly established cornerstone in our goal of creating a Monsterverse that will bring some of the world's most iconic creatures back to the big screen with a contemporary style that resonates with moviegoers across the globe. The film's success to date in China also underscores Wanda and Legendary's commitment to delivering content that will drive moviegoers across the region to the theater."

Co-starring Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, Corey Hawkins and John C. Reilly, the movie was released on March 10. It follows a group of scientists, Vietnam War soldiers and a photographer as they explore an uncharted island inhabited by enormous animals, including the titular ape.