Den-of-Thieves-2

Despite LA Wildfires, Den of Thieves 2 Makes a Big Debut, Game Changer Grabs Attention with $2.1M International Run

 

Lionsgate's Den of Thieves 2: Pantera took the number one spot at the US box office this weekend with a strong $15.5 million debut. Despite mixed reviews, the action-packed heist film secured a solid opening, helped by its loyal fanbase. 

The film, a sequel to the 2018 hit Den of Thieves, continued Gerard Butler's streak of January successes, and audiences gave it a "B+" CinemaScore.

 

Quiet Weekend in the Box Office

 

The weekend was relatively quiet for movie theaters, as it was affected by raging wildfires in Los Angeles, the country's largest box office market. There were some theater closures in the Los Angeles area, but generally, movie going was not that affected. The Den of Thieves 2 had a strong opening, nearly matching the original film, which opened at $15.2 million in 2018.

As of now, Den of Thieves 2 has outpaced several other big-budget films. With a production cost of around $40 million, the movie marks the first number-one opening for Lionsgate since The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in November 2023.

 

Ram Charan's Game Changer Marks Big Impact

 

Game Changer, another Indian film, is also making waves as it debuted in the top 10 highest-earning films of the weekend. The film, starring Ram Charan, generated around $2.1 million in markets and came in 9th. This automatically places Game Changer right behind Nicole Kidman's 'Babygirl', which grossed $3.1 million.

Although its release was limited to North America, the film's show has increased interest in international cinema and the action genre.

 

Strong Long-Run Performers Fuel Box Office

 

Meanwhile, traditional films such as Mufasa: The Lion King and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 performed well during this period. Mufasa drew $13.2 million, already at a total global haul of $540 million.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 garnered $11 million; its worldwide take is currently reaching the $395 million mark. All these holdover holiday attractions maintained their supremacy so that box office performance did not falter.

 

Disappointment and Surprise

 

While Den of Thieves 2 did well, the weekend wasn't all good news. The Robbie Williams biopic Better Man did not fare well, bringing in only $1.1 million, though it was met with rave reviews. The postwar drama from A24, The Brutalist, fared better in its expansion, earning $1.4 million.

It was a mixed weekend of the good, the bad, and the ugly for the most part. Den of Thieves 2 leads the pack as more film breaks into the top ranks. Mufasa and Sonic are still doing something at the box office, ensuring an excellent opening for the year.