Lionsgate’s high-stakes thriller Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, executive produced by 50 Cent, claimed the box office crown this weekend, debuting at No. 1 with $15.5 million across 3,008 theaters in North America.
The sequel to 2018’s Den of Thieves opened on par with its predecessor, which debuted with $15.2 million before amassing $80 million globally. However, with a production budget of $40 million, the latest installment will need strong momentum to match—or surpass—those returns.
Audiences have responded positively to the film, awarding it a “B+” on CinemaScore, though critics have been less enthusiastic, with a 58% average on Rotten Tomatoes. Gerard Butler reprises his role as “Big Nick,” a hardened Los Angeles detective now hunting O’Shea Jackson Jr.’s Donnie, an ex-marine-turned-diamond thief, across Europe in a plot brimming with tension and high-octane action.
“These films are tailored for audiences, not critics,” says David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. “Gerard Butler is a proven action star, and this classic good-versus-evil formula resonates globally. International markets should perform well.”
Lionsgate, known for minimizing financial risks by selling international rights, hopes Den of Thieves 2 marks a turnaround following a tough 2024. The studio suffered seven consecutive box office failures, including the Borderlands adaptation, The Crow reboot, and Halle Berry’s thriller Never Let Go.
Looking ahead, Lionsgate has a promising 2025 lineup with John Wick spinoff Ballerina, Saw XI, and the Michael Jackson biopic Michael all expected to drive robust ticket sales.
Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is in theaters nationwide.
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