A new movie has set a pandemic record, and is seen as a sign that movie fans are ready to head back to theaters.

“Godzilla vs. Kong” took in more than $48 million at the domestic box office over the holiday weekend – breaking a pandemic record. It was possible with more than half of movie theaters in the United States now reopened with at least limited capacity.

Regal Cinemas – the nation’s second-largest theater chain – reopened many of its theaters on Friday. Regal will begin reopening it's 11 New Jersey locations on April 23, according to its website, including the North Brunswick location.

“Godzilla vs. Kong” is also streaming on HBO Max at no extra cost. But movie fans still ventured out to see it. In a recent interview with News 12 New Jersey, Joe Masher of the National Association of Theater Owners said that theaters will remain crucial to big earnings despite the popularity of streaming.

“You can’t get those $100 million grosses by just throwing a movie onto a streaming service,” he said.

The success of "Godzilla vs. Kong" has the cinema industry hoping it prompts studios to release movies held back during the pandemic sooner, as restrictions are eased.