NEW YORK — In a relatively quiet weekend at the box office, Lionsgate’s “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” emerged as the clear winner, debuting at the top spot with an estimated $15.5 million, according to studio estimates released on Sunday. The film, a sequel to the 2018 heist thriller “Den of Thieves,” performed similarly to its predecessor, which opened with $15.2 million in its release seven years ago.
The release of “Den of Thieves 2,” starring Gerard Butler and co-starring O’Shea Jackson Jr., was met with modest reception, receiving a “B+” CinemaScore from audiences. Despite receiving lukewarm reviews with a 58% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film managed to perform well enough, taking advantage of the typically slow mid-January moviegoing period. The film opened in 3,008 North American theaters and was made with a budget of around $40 million.
Butler, known for his action-packed roles, has become a regular figure in January releases, having starred in the previous hit “Plane,” which grossed $32.1 million in January 2023. The performance of “Den of Thieves 2” marks Lionsgate’s first No. 1 opening since “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” in November 2023.
Meanwhile, the highly anticipated “Better Man,” a biographical film about British pop star Robbie Williams, failed to meet expectations. Directed by Michael Gracey, known for his work on “The Greatest Showman,” the film’s unconventional portrayal of Williams as a CGI chimpanzee failed to resonate with audiences, grossing only $1.1 million from 1,291 locations. The film, produced for $110 million, was anticipated to draw more viewers but struggled in its opening weekend, leaving critics and box office analysts surprised by its underperformance.
Although “Better Man” was praised for its creative approach to the music biopic genre, it did not capture the same level of attention as similar films about other musical icons, such as “Rocketman” (Elton John) and “Elvis.” The film’s performance was further overshadowed by other releases, including “The Last Showgirl,” a Las Vegas drama starring Pamela Anderson, which earned $1.5 million.
Other notable releases for the weekend included “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which continued to perform well, adding $13.2 million to its global total, bringing its worldwide earnings to $539.7 million. Also performing strongly were “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” with $11 million and “Nosferatu,” which made $6.8 million, marking a strong holiday period for films continuing to hold their ground at the box office.
As the box office gradually recovers from the pandemic and new films continue to enter the market, the performance of films like “Den of Thieves 2” and “Better Man” highlights the unpredictable nature of audience demand and the challenges faced by studios in an ever-changing industry. To stay updated on box office performance, visit Box Office Mojo.
