Paramount’s Smile 2 made $2.5M from previews last night that began at 5PM at 3,000 locations, which is half million higher than the 2022 movie’s $2M preview figure. Smile went on to make a $22.6M opening and leg out to $105.9M. Presales indicated high teens for Smile 2, however, perhaps Paramount execs will have something to grin about over the weekend and the sequel goes higher. Smile 2 has all the PLF screens this weekend, while the Imaxes live with Warner Bros’ Joker: Folie a Deux.
The film is certified fresh with an 85% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes and PostTrak exits from fans last night are at 3 1/2 stars and 71% positive. Latino and Hispanic moviegoers were strong last night at 36% with Caucasians showing up at 40%, Black moviegoers at 11% and Asian American at 7%.
Today, the sequel opens on 3,619 screens. Smile architect Parker Finn is back for the sequel here which cost $28M. The movie stars Aladdin‘s Naomi Scott as a popstar who freakishly sees grinning people while on tour.
Smile 2‘s preview cash is also on par with Blumhouse/Universal’s Tuesday preview of The First Purge which did $2.5M back in 2018, on its way to a 3-day of $17.3M, 5-day of $31.2M.
Cineverse’s surprise Terrifier 3 per industry estimates racked up $1.5M yesterday, -16%, for a first week’s take of $26.9M.
Peter Mountain
A24’s gradual expansion of We Live in Time saw $500K last night in previews as it heads to 955 theaters this weekend. The Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh romance drama received 98% Rotten Tomatoes audience score. Fingers crossed, a lot of hope for another romance comeback at the box office with this movie. The John Crowley directed title currently counts $820K all in stateside, after playing its first weekend in five NYC and LA theaters which bowed to $225,9K.
Michael Keaton in ‘Goodrich’
Ketchup Entertainment
There were previews last night for Ketchup Entertaiment’s Michael Keaton and Mila Kunis dramedy, Goodrich. Waiting on a figure, but the audience exits were excellent at 5 stars and 93% positive with a turnout by 61% men, 39% female and a 65% over 35 audience. Critics are 68% fresh for this Hallie Meyers-Shyer directed movie. Pic’s blurb: Andy Goodrich’s (Michael Keaton) life is upended when his wife and mother of their nine-year-old twins enters a 90-day rehab program, leaving him on his own with their young kids. Thrust into the world of modern parenthood, Goodrich leans on his daughter from his first marriage, Grace (Mila Kunis), as he ultimately evolves into the father Grace never had.