Image credits - Deadline
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Smile 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2022 psychological horror hit Smile, has made a strong entrance at the North American box office, grossing $23 million in its opening weekend. This solid debut not only topped the weekend’s box office charts but also showed a steady performance that matched the original film’s release, which opened with $22.6 million last year. The success of Smile 2 reflects both the appeal of the franchise and the demand for psychological thrillers in the current market.
The film, directed by Parker Finn, continues the eerie and unsettling narrative that captivated audiences in the first installment. Smile 2 follows the same formula, blending psychological horror with disturbing visuals and tense storytelling that keeps viewers on edge. The film’s solid opening is a good indicator of the horror genre’s continued popularity, with sequels and franchises continuing to thrive in a competitive marketplace.
Smile 2’s debut is notable not only for its strong domestic performance but also for its international success.After earning $23 million in its first weekend overseas, the movie’s global total surpassed $46 million. This marks a significant achievement for Paramount and the film’s production team, as the movie’s overseas performance is helping to broaden its audience beyond just North American shores.
When it was first published in 2022, the original Smile also did incredibly well and became a sleeper smash.Despite its low-budget origins and its initial intent for a streaming release, Smile found significant success in theaters, ultimately grossing $105 million in the domestic market and $217 million globally. Its success surprised many, turning it into a horror franchise worth following.
This sequel’s strong start is a testament to the film’s broad appeal and the growing audience for psychological thrillers that blend horror elements with deeper emotional stakes. It also highlights the ongoing trend of sequels and franchises dominating the box office, particularly in the horror genre, where films like Scream and The Conjuring have found long-lasting success.
Meanwhile, A24’s We Live in Time, a romantic drama starring Oscar-winning actor Emma Thompson and rising star Daryl McCormack, has also made an impression, cracking the top five at the box office with a respectable debut. The film’s exploration of love, relationships, and the passage of time has resonated with audiences, particularly those looking for a change of pace from the thriller-heavy box office.
While Smile 2 dominated the weekend, We Live in Time’s performance reflects A24’s continued ability to deliver thought-provoking films with strong emotional appeal. Known for its unique and critically acclaimed films, A24 has become a respected name in the industry, and this debut is another feather in its cap.
Despite Smile 2’s dominant opening, the box office landscape remains competitive, and both films will face challenges in the coming weeks as new releases continue to roll out. However, Smile 2’s solid debut positions it well for continued success, and it may very well become another horror franchise hit in the coming years.
The film’s success also points to a larger trend in the box office, where horror films with established franchises or strong initial performances are continuing to dominate. As moviegoers look for both thrills and scares, Smile 2 appears primed to meet that demand and possibly extend the series further with more sequels.