The recent release of Lionsgate’s **Den of Thieves 2: Pantera** marked its entry into the competitive early January box office, with the film bringing in an impressive $1.35 million from previews that commenced at 6 PM. This result indicates a robust start, outpacing the $950,000 garnered by the original film in its 2018 previews by an impressive 42%. However, it is essential to provide context by comparing this number to the previous year’s releases, particularly **The Beekeeper**, which enjoyed a more substantial $2.4 million during its previews, ultimately leading to a strong $16.5 million three-day weekend gross.
Comparing the figures with **Gerard Butler’s** earlier film, **Plane**, which collected $625,000 on a comparable Friday and went on to reach $10.2 million over its opening weekend, emphasizes the promising start of **Den of Thieves 2** but also calls attention to the challenges it faces given the competitive landscape and external factors.
While **Den of Thieves 2** sets its sights on an opening weekend prediction between $11 million and $13 million from 3,008 theaters, it is operating in a somewhat sluggish early January market. Compounded by unforeseen circumstances, such as recent wildfires in its primary locale, Los Angeles, the accessibility and comfort of viewing options are limited. Out of 14 affected cinemas, some have only just reopened, while vital venues like AMC Century City and AMC Grove remain operational.
This tough market environment puts the film in direct competition with other expected releases—most notably, **Mufasa** and **Sonic the Hedgehog 3**, which are projected to perform similarly. The performance of **Den of Thieves 2** hinges not only on its audience appeal but also on how it stands up against these formidable competitors in this challenging marketplace.
The motivation to craft a sequel to the original film stems from the considerable success it achieved, notably exceeding expectations with a $15.2 million opening and culminating in a domestic total of $44.9 million and a worldwide gross of $80.5 million. The sequel continues to follow the saga of **Big Nick** (portrayed by Butler) as he tracks down **Donnie** (O’Shea Jackson Jr.) within the dangerous realm of diamond heists and the formidable Panther mafia. This narrative carries with it the promise of suspense and action as it aims to draw audiences into a high-stakes world.
The involvement of prominent figures such as **Christian Gudegast** as director and producers including Butler himself signals a strong commitment to maintaining the quality and tone that fans appreciated in the first installment. Additionally, the film has garnered a decent 70% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating a favorable reception, albeit with varying opinions about its creative execution.
As **Den of Thieves 2: Pantera** embarks on its box office journey, it commands attention not just for its impressive opening but also for the hurdles it must navigate amidst stiff competition and external market factors. While its early performance is promising, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this sequel can replicate or even surpass the success of its predecessor, cementing its place within Lionsgate’s growing catalogue of cinematic offerings. The intersection of compelling talent, high stakes, and audience reception will ultimately dictate its potential.
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