Box Office Buzz “Smile 2” Shines with Strong Previews and Promising Prospects

Paramount’s much-anticipated horror sequel, Smile 2, made a notable impact at the box office, raking in $2.5 million from previews that started at 5 p.m. on Thursday across 3,000 locations. This figure is a half-million dollars higher than its predecessor, which opened to $22.6 million and ultimately grossed $105.9 million. With early indicators suggesting a strong opening, Smile 2 is poised for a successful weekend.

Originally projected to land in the high teens for its opening weekend, Smile 2 may exceed these predictions thanks to robust presales and favorable audience responses. The sequel boasts exclusive access to premium large format (PLF) screens, positioning it well against competition like Warner Bros’ Joker: Folie à Deux. With an impressive 85% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, and a solid PostTrak exit score of 3.5 stars and 71% positive feedback, the buzz around the film is palpable.

The demographic breakdown of ticket buyers reveals strong interest among Latino and Hispanic moviegoers, who accounted for 36% of attendees, followed by Caucasian audiences at 40%. Black audiences made up 11%, while Asian Americans represented 7%. This diverse appeal is crucial for Smile 2, which opens on 3,619 screens today.

Parker Finn, the creative mind behind the original Smile, returns to helm this sequel, which features Naomi Scott, known for her role in Aladdin, as a pop star experiencing eerie encounters with grinning strangers on tour. With a production budget of $28 million, expectations are high for the film’s performance.

Smile 2’s preview numbers are reminiscent of Blumhouse/Universal’s The First Purge, which also grossed $2.5 million in previews before achieving a three-day total of $17.3 million and a five-day total of $31.2 million in 2018.

In addition to Smile 2, Cineverse’s Terrifier 3 surprised the industry with an estimated $1.5 million from previews, bringing its first-week total to $26.9 million. A24’s We Live in Time, featuring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, garnered $500,000 in previews, currently sitting at $820,000 after a limited release. The film has received a stellar 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, raising hopes for its box office performance.

Meanwhile, Ketchup Entertainment’s Goodrich, starring Michael Keaton and Mila Kunis, has also generated buzz with excellent audience exits and a 68% fresh rating from critics.

With an impressive lineup of films this weekend, including Smile 2, the box office is set for an exciting showdown. As audiences flock to theaters, it remains to be seen how these films will ultimately perform in the competitive landscape. Stay tuned for more updates as the weekend unfolds!