Den of Thieves 2: Pantera Eyes No. 1 Box Office Spot

Lionsgate‘s Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is poised to claim the top spot at the box office this weekend, marking the studio’s first No. 1 opening since November 2023’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. The action sequel, starring Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr., is projected to earn $14 million or more in its debut, with Friday estimates ranging from $5.5 million to $6.5 million. This would be Butler’s first No. 1 opening since 2019’s Angel Has Fallen.

The film, which follows the return of Butler’s character Big Nick as he tracks down Jackson’s Donnie in Europe, has faced numerous production challenges, including delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, injuries, and geopolitical conflicts. Despite these hurdles, director Christian Gudegast has delivered a sequel that builds on the success of the 2018 original, which grossed $80.5 million worldwide.

Lionsgate inherited the project through its acquisition of eOne, which owned Sierra/Affinity. The studio’s exposure on the sequel is reportedly $15 million, with an additional $20 million spent on marketing. Early audience reactions have been positive, with 72% of viewers giving the film a favorable rating on Screen Engine/Comscore PostTrak.

Meanwhile, Disney‘s Mufasa and Paramount‘s Sonic the Hedgehog 3 are also performing well, with both films expected to earn around $13 million and $9.2 million, respectively, this weekend. Moana 2 continues to dominate globally, surpassing $971.1 million worldwide and becoming the third-highest-grossing animated film of 2024.

Despite a soft January box office frame, Den of Thieves 2 is expected to outperform its competition, thanks in part to its loyal fanbase and strong marketing campaign. The film’s success could pave the way for a third installment, which Gudegast has already pitched and is ready to develop.