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Smile 2 dominates opening weekend with $23 million debut
The box office got a jolt of excitement this weekend as Smile 2, Paramount’s chilling sequel to the psychological thriller Smile, soared to the top with a robust $23 million opening. This performance surpasses an otherwise quiet North American box office scene.
Strong start for Smile 2
Released as the follow-up to the 2022 hit, Smile 2 debuted right on par with its predecessor’s opening weekend, which pulled in $22.6 million. The original film, initially set for streaming, pivoted to theaters and became a sleeper hit, amassing $105 million domestically and $217 million globally. The sequel managed to replicate this success with a strong overseas opening, raking in $23 million and bringing its global total to an impressive $46 million.
Parker Finn returns to direct, crafting another eerie experience. Naomi Scott stars as a pop singer subjected to a series of disturbing events during her tour. Despite the genre’s notorious difficulty in maintaining momentum across series, the film has been well-received, earning a “B” grade on CinemaScore, a slight but promising improvement over the first film’s “B-” rating.
A word from experts
Horror series are one of the more difficult genres to sustain over multiple episodes, says notable movie consultant David A. Gross. This opening, therefore, marks a significant achievement in the horror landscape.
Other top performers
While Smile 2 was the most prominent new release this weekend, other films made notable strides in the box office.
We live in time achieves fifth place
A24’s romantic drama We Live in Time made an impressive entry, securing the fifth spot with $4.1 million from 955 theaters. Starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh as a young couple in challenging circumstances, the film has grossed $4.5 million to date, since its limited release. The audience demographic skewed younger, with 85% under 35 and 70% female, indicating a strong appeal among young women.
Indie hits shine
Anora sets a high bar
Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or-winning Anora has also turned heads, collecting $540,000 from just six theaters in Los Angeles and New York City. This translates to a remarkable $90,000 per location, the highest screen average of the year and second-highest post-pandemic. Neon, the distributor, will continue to expand its footprint. The film humorously explores the life of an exotic dancer and sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch.
Struggles and successes
Joker: folie à deux plummets
Not all sequels performed admirably. Joker: Folie à Deux slipped to sixth place in its third week, generating $2.18 million from 2,857 venues. The follow-up to the 2019 blockbuster Joker has struggled, with $56.4 million domestically and $168 million globally—a stark contrast to the original’s $96.2 million and $248.4 million openings. With a budget of $200 million, the sequel is not meeting expectations.
Beetlejuice sequel sustains momentum
In contrast, another Warner Bros. tentpole, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, maintained consistency, landing fourth with $5 million from 3,251 locations. Directed by Tim Burton, this sequel has been a staple in the top five domestic charts for seven weekends, grossing $283 million in North America and $425 million globally.
Final thoughts
The box office landscape remains dynamic, with horror and indie films making strong impressions while some big-budget sequels falter. As the fall season progresses, it will be intriguing to see how these trends evolve. Keep following for more exciting updates and in-depth analyses of your favorite films and series.
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