Den of Thieves 2: Pantera has successfully launched, mirroring the opening of its predecessor, while the much-anticipated Better Man biopic featuring Robbie Williams has unfortunately struggled during its wide release. The contrasting performances highlight the unpredictable nature of the box office landscape.

Lionsgate is celebrating a triumphant start to 2025 with the successful debut of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, which has secured the top position at the box office. According to Deadline, the film grossed an impressive $15.5 million, aligning closely with the original film’s performance from 2018, without adjusting for inflation. However, it’s essential to consider that its potential earnings may have been impacted by the devastating wildfires wreaking havoc across substantial areas of Los Angeles. Notably, this film marks Gerard Butler’s most significant opening since Angel Has Fallen in 2019, reinforcing his status as a reliable box office draw in the action genre.

The performance of Mufasa: The Lion King post-holiday season has not met expectations, as it experienced a significant decline of 44%, now accumulating a total of $13.2 million, which brings its domestic earnings to $187 million. This total is just a small fraction compared to the over $600 million earned by its predecessor in 2019, indicating a shift in audience interest. In third place, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 garnered $11 million, pushing its overall total to over $200 million, marking it as the highest-grossing film in the series to date, showcasing the franchise’s growing appeal.

On another note, Focus Features is experiencing significant success with Robert Eggers’s adaptation of Nosferatu, which has grossed $6.8 million, bringing its overall total to an impressive $81 million. This achievement positions it as the third highest-grossing domestic release in Focus Features’ history, trailing only behind Downton Abbey and Coraline. Close behind, Moana 2 achieved $6.5 million, resulting in a total of $434 million. Meanwhile, Wicked continues to perform well, with a weekend gross of $5 million, escalating its cumulative total to a remarkable $458.9 million, further solidifying its status as a box office favorite.

Searchlight’s A Complete Unknown has also made waves this weekend, earning $5 million and surpassing the $50 million mark in total gross. This achievement signifies the studio’s highest-grossing domestic release in several years. Although it may not reach the massive success of director James Mangold’s earlier work, Walk the Line, it is on track to yield substantial profits for the studio and is expected to perform well during the upcoming award season. Additionally, A24’s Babygirl has turned into a noteworthy success story, earning $3.09 million and accumulating a total of $21.7 million domestically. While this might seem modest, it ranks among the most successful indie films of the season, outpacing several other critically acclaimed releases this year. The Indian film Game Changer secured ninth place with a $1.8 million gross, while the Pamela Anderson comeback film The Last Showgirl rounded out the top 10 with $1.5 million. In stark contrast, the highly publicized $100 million biopic Better Man fell flat, earning only $1 million and failing to break into the top 10.

In a surprising turn, The Brutalist, which is only screening in 68 theaters compared to the wide release of Better Man, managed to outperform it with a gross of $1.35 million. This trend is promising for its gradual rollout throughout the award season. One significant factor contributing to A24’s The Brutalist slow release strategy is its exclusive roadshow presentations in 70mm at select locations before transitioning to a general release. With multiple Golden Globe nominations, it is positioned to receive numerous Oscar nominations this Friday, which will likely bolster its status and profitability, despite its darker themes. It is a beautifully crafted film, and I highly recommend experiencing it in 70mm if the opportunity arises.

Looking ahead, the upcoming weekend will see the release of The Wolf Man, which is expected to easily claim the top spot at the box office. We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments about whether you plan to check out this exciting new release!