Den of Thieves 2 Wins Box Office Crown, Moana 2 Nears $1B Globally
January 12, 2025
The box office is buzzing as Gerard Butler’s “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” opened to a robust $15.5 million this weekend, claiming the top spot for Lionsgate. This marks a big win for the studio, which hasn’t had a No. 1 debut in months. Fans of the gritty heist franchise showed up in droves, ensuring the sequel performed on par with its 2018 predecessor.
Despite the raging fires in the greater Los Angeles area, moviegoers still flocked to theaters, particularly in L.A., which remains the country’s top movie market. Studio insiders reported only minor disruptions, with a handful of smaller theaters in Altadena-Pasadena closing temporarily.
In second place, Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” pulled in $13.2 million domestically, pushing its global total to an impressive $540 million. Meanwhile, “Moana 2” continued its march toward box office history, earning $6.5 million this weekend and bringing its worldwide total to $989.8 million. The animated hit is now just days away from crossing the coveted $1 billion mark.
Other notable entries include Paramount’s “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” which added $11 million to its domestic haul, bringing its global total to $394 million. Focus Features’ “Nosferatu” also impressed, earning $6.8 million domestically for a worldwide tally of $135.8 million.
While some films thrived, others struggled. The Robbie Williams biopic “Better Man” expanded to over 1,200 theaters but managed just $1.1 million this weekend, despite strong reviews. The costly project, which features Williams as a computer-generated monkey, seems to be missing its mark with audiences.
On the awards front, Searchlight’s “A Complete Unknown” had a solid weekend, grossing $5 million. The Bob Dylan biopic, starring Timothée Chalamet, has now surpassed $50 million domestically and remains an awards-season favorite with four SAG nominations.
The weekend’s biggest surprise came from “The Brutalist,” which grossed $1.4 million from just 68 locations, showcasing its strong per-theater average of $20,408. This Golden Globes winner is gaining momentum as awards buzz grows.
With January off to a strong start, the box office shows no signs of slowing down. The success of “Den of Thieves 2” and the anticipation for “Moana 2” to cross $1 billion globally are setting a thrilling pace for the year ahead.
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