The box office is ear-to-ear for “Smile 2,” with Paramount’s horror entry landing $9.4 million from 3,619 domestic locations across Friday and preview screenings. That’s above the $8.2 million opening day that the first “Smile” earned in 2022 — a successful kick-off for this sequel, which carries a $28 million production budget.
With Halloween season still abound, “Smile 2” is well-positioned to turn a profit as it plays in the weeks ahead. The question remains of how well it can emulate the staying power of its predecessor. The first “Smile” was initially slated for a streaming release, but was shifted to a full theatrical rollout after strong test screenings.
→ Continue reading at Variety
