Box Office Thriller: Den of Thieves 2 Dominates Amidst Unique Cinema Offerings

Lionsgate's *Den of Thieves 2* triumphs at the box office with a $15.5 million opening while Robbie Williams' unconventional biopic *Better Man* struggles to find its footing. Explore the current landscape of cinema, including the upcoming Rendez-Vous with French Cinema event.

Box Office Thriller: Den of Thieves 2 Holds Strong Amidst Competition

A Compelling Debut in a Sparse Market
In a weekend marked by relative calm in theaters due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, Lionsgate’s Den of Thieves 2: Pantera has emerged as the box office victor, raking in an impressive $15.5 million. This sequel to the 2018 heist thriller featuring the ever-popular Gerard Butler made its mark in 3,008 North American cinemas, paralleling the performance of its predecessor, which launched with $15.2 million. Striking a chord with action fans, Butler continues to be a magnet for audiences during the usually slow mid-January period.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera Gerard Butler shines in Lionsgate’s latest thriller.

Despite its success, Den of Thieves 2 comes with a budget of approximately $40 million, slightly higher than its predecessor. Its reception has been a mixed bag, garnering a solid B+ CinemaScore from audiences, while critics have weighed in with a lukewarm 58% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Notably, this is Lionsgate’s first box office triumph since The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes took the chart by storm in November 2023.

An Unconventional Biopic Struggles to Find Audiences

Also making waves this weekend, albeit not in the same positive light, was the audacious Robbie Williams biopic, Better Man. Directed by Michael Gracey, known for his blockbuster The Greatest Showman, this film has taken a unique approach by casting a CGI monkey to portray Williams. Unfortunately, it landed poorly at the box office with only $1.1 million from 1,291 theaters, significantly underperforming against its hefty $110 million production budget and an acquisition cost of $25 million for Paramount.

Despite its box office woes, Better Man has received critical acclaim, boasting an impressive 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an even higher audience score of 94%. Critics have lauded it as a refreshingly innovative twist on the music biopic genre. As Peter Travers from ABC News states,

“Better Man is a thrilling biopic that resists the usual cliches.”

Audience Favorites: Mufasa and Sonic Still Going Strong

While the newcomers struggled, holiday holdovers delivered steady performances. Mufasa: The Lion King continued to attract audiences with a notable $13.2 million addition to its total, elevating its worldwide gross to an astounding $539.7 million. Meanwhile, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 remained popular with viewers, adding another $11 million to its tally and bringing its global revenues to $384.8 million.

Not to be overlooked, Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu, a sleeper hit during the recent holiday season, has grossed a solid $81.1 million domestically after bringing in $6.8 million in its fourth weekend.

Mufasa: The Lion King The latest Disney classic continues to capture hearts worldwide.

Buyers Gather in Paris: Excitement for French Cinema

As some films fade while others rise, international audiences and buyers’ attention turns to Paris. The 27th edition of Unifrance’s Rendez-Vous with French Cinema promises to showcase a robust slate of French films poised for distribution in 2025. Taking place from January 14-21, this gathering will spotlight numerous attendees eager to engage with French cinema’s resounding success in global markets.

Marie-Laure Montironi from Pathe International emphasizes the importance of this event:

“It’s a major event, the only moment during the year when buyers’ attention is 100% focused on French films.”

Expect around 1,000 attendees from 44 countries, with a mix of European and global buyers looking for the next film to champion. As French films rush toward a robust landscape, buyers will be on the lookout for potential crowd-pleasers entering international screens later this year.

Conclusion: An Evolving Landscape

The movie landscape continues to evolve, with Den of Thieves 2 leading the weekend box office while Better Man finds itself struggling despite strong critical acclaim. As global markets become increasingly competitive, the focus on unique narratives and engaging storytelling remains paramount. With events like the Rendez-Vous in Paris highlighting burgeoning talent and innovative projects, the future of cinema looks as vibrant as ever.