Sat Oct 19 17:07:56 UTC 2024: **Key Points from the Article:**

1. **Box Office Performance of “Smile 2”:**
– “Smile 2,” Paramount’s horror sequel, debuted with $9.4 million from 3,619 theaters, surpassing the $8.2 million opening day of the original “Smile” in 2022.
– The sequel has a production budget of $28 million and is well-positioned for profitability during the Halloween season.

2. **Comparison to the Original:**
– The first “Smile” had strong test screenings and viral marketing, leading to a successful $22 million opening weekend and a total of $105 million domestically with a 4.68 multiplier.

3. **Critical Reception and Audience Response:**
– “Smile 2” received positive reviews, particularly for Naomi Scott’s performance, leading to a solid “B” grade from CinemaScore, an improvement from the original’s “B-.”

4. **Other Box Office Contenders:**
– A24’s “We Live in Time” opened in 955 theaters, earning approximately $1.8 million and aiming for a top five finish.
– DreamWorks’ “The Wild Robot” retained second place and is expected to surpass $100 million domestically.
– “Terrifier 3” is projected to land in third place after an estimated $2.9 million on Friday.
– Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” continues to perform strongly, nearing the $282 million mark to become the fourth highest-grossing domestic release of 2024.

5. **Other Releases:**
– “Joker: Folie à Deux” faced a significant 81% drop in its second weekend and exited the domestic top five.
– Neon launched “Anora,” earning approximately $310,000 in a limited release, with expectations for an extended run through the awards season.

This summary outlines the key successes and challenges faced by major current films at the box office, highlighting the performance of “Smile 2” and other notable releases.

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