‘Smile 2’ Tops Box Office Charts; ‘Anora’ Shines Bright in Limited Release

Horror films dominated the domestic box office this weekend, showcasing the unpredictability of audience preferences. “Smile 2” emerged as the top film, grossing an estimated $23 million in its opening weekend, while “Terrifier 3” continued to attract viewers, earning $9.3 million in its second weekend.

The success of these films appears to stem from the disappointing performance of “Joker: Folie à Deux,” which remains on a downward trajectory. In its third weekend, the sequel generated just $2.2 million, bringing its total to $56.4 million.

“Smile 2,” directed by Parker Finn, builds on the success of its predecessor, which surprised many by grossing $217 million against a $17 million budget. The sequel, featuring Naomi Scott as a pop star, enjoyed a larger budget and was intended for theatrical release from the outset.

In second place, “The Wild Robot,” produced by Universal and DreamWorks Animation, surpassed the $100 million mark domestically. This family-friendly film is benefiting from positive reviews and sustained interest in theaters, possibly due in part to teenagers purchasing tickets and sneaking into the R-rated “Terrifier 3.”

Industry analyst Paul Dergarabedian commented on the situation, noting that such rumors can spark increased interest in films like “Terrifier 3.” The low production cost of $2 million ensures that the film’s revenue continues to surpass expectations.

Meanwhile, Warner Bros. saw “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” perform steadily in its seventh weekend, adding another $5 million to reach a domestic total of $284 million. Star Michael Keaton also debuted a new film, “Goodrich,” which struggled, earning only $600,000 from over 1,000 theaters.

As for the romantic drama “We Live In Time,” it expanded its theater count to 985 after a limited opening and brought in $4.2 million. With a primarily young and female audience, its expanding footprint suggests potential for continued growth.

One standout during the box office weekend was “Anora,” directed by Sean Baker. The film, which features Mikey Madison as a sex worker entwined with the son of a Russian oligarch, premiered in six theaters and achieved a remarkable $630,000, achieving a per-theater average that sets it apart from other recent releases.

As the landscape of cinema continues to shift, Dergarabedian remarked that audiences are presented with diverse offerings, suggesting a promising outlook for the fall movie season. The Walt Disney Company also contributed to the box office with re-releases of classics like “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” which earned $1.1 million.

Looking ahead, next weekend will see the release of “Venom: The Last Dance,” a comic book adaptation that is expected to draw significant attention alongside the papal thriller “Conclave.”

Here’s a summary of estimated ticket sales from Friday to Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore:

1. “Smile 2,” $23 million.

2. “The Wild Robot,” $10.1 million.

3. “Terrifier 3,” $9.3 million.

4. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” $5 million.

5. “We Live In Time,” $4.2 million.

6. “Joker: Folie à Deux,” $2.2 million.

7. “Piece by Piece,” $2.1 million.

8. “Transformers One,” $2 million.

9. “Saturday Night,” $1.8 million.

10. “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” $1.1 million.