Smile 2hits another global box office milestone after just three weeks in theaters. The original 2022 horror movie was a major hit, reaching $217 million against a meager $17 million budget. This led to the immediate greenlight for a sequel, which stars Naomi Scott as the pop star Skye Riley, who becomes infected with the Smile Curse. The 2024 sequelhas a larger budget of $28 millionbut has responded well commercially since its opening debut in October.
PerCollider,Smile 2isnow crossing the $110 million benchmark, which is nearly quadruple its price tag. The worldwide box office is combined with $53 million domestic and $57 million international earnings, making itthe fourth highest-grossing horror film of 2024, sitting behindA Quiet Place: Day One,which concluded with $261 million. Domestically,Smile 2is just outside the top 25 highest-grossing movies of the year, with $13 million needed to reachThe Beekeeper’s record. The horror sequel is only $5 million away from entering the top 100 highest-grossing horror movies of all time domestically.
What This Means For Smile 2
It’s Impressive But Still Falls Short OfSmile’s Record
Smile 2has been in theaters for approximately three weeks since its debut in mid-October, and it’s close to quadrupling its budget. On the opening weekend, thefilm snatched the top box office crown fromthe goryTerrifier 3, earning $23 million, which made it the biggest horror opening of 2024. With the movie staying in theaters for another few weeks, it’ll likely hit more milestones. However, based on the metrics, it’s also unlikely forSmile 2to surpass the original’s box office record.
Why Joel Wasn’t The Main Character Of Smile 2
Joel did appear in Smile 2, but the Kyle Gallner character didn’t have a major role, and here’s why the original Smile character was sidelined.
DespiteSmile 2’s glowing reviewsamong critics,the sequel is still behind the original film’s record-breaking trail.Smilewas the highest-grossing horror release of 2022 and has passed the $50 million domestic milestone by the second weekend. It took the sequel a few more days to hit the milestone. WithBeetlejuice Beetlejuicesitting at the No.1 spot as the highest-grossing horror release this year with $445 million, andAlien: Romulusat No. 2 with $350 million,Smile 2still has a long way to go.
Our Take on Smile 2 Box Office Milestone
Smile 3 Is Very Possible
WhileSmile 2didn’t outperform the first movie’s record, it still hit quadruple its budget. Passing the $110 million milestone is also an indicator that the franchise has a bright future. Parker Finn already has an idea of how to approachfutureSmileinstallments, which only makes the franchise more exciting. So far, there’s been no definitive news about a third installment, but withSmile 2hitting more box office milestones, the future is positive.
Unlike other horror franchises that push the same format and ideas through a variety of films,Smile 2approaches the core idea differently by telling character-driven stories.
Skye Riley’s journey inSmile 2also shows viewers a different side of the Smile Entity. Unlike other horror franchises that push the same format and ideas through a variety of films,Smile 2approaches the core idea differently by telling character-driven stories.Smileis a unique franchise that deserves more films, sohopefully, viewers will be able to hear some good news soon.
