"Variety" thought the movie was a powerful adventure. The "New York Times" thought the movie a fascinating adventure. The movie was not shown in Nazi Germany because it was thought a threat to Aryan womanhood. In 2002, Roger Ebert wrote that the special effects are not up to modern standards, but the movie remains one "that still somehow works." In 2009, "King Kong" held an average score of 100% "Certified Fresh" based on 46 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie made about $2 million when it was first shown. Its opening weekend total was estimated at $90,000. After the 1952 re-release, "Variety" estimated the film had made $4 million in cumulative domestic rentals for that year.