The start of 2025 at the box office is marked by the anticipated releases of two films vying for audiences' attention: Den of Thieves 2: Pantera and Better Man. Featuring Gerard Butler and O'Shea Jackson Jr., the sequel aims to hit the ground running as people emerge from the holiday season. Expectations are mixed, with projections indicating dual challenges for box office supremacy amid varied audience interests and external factors.
Scheduled for release on January 10, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera hopes to tap the vein of action thrillers, seeking to capitalize on its predecessor's moderate success. The original film, which debuted back in 2018, garnered $15.2 million on opening weekend and finished its run with $80 million worldwide. This time, Lionsgate estimates the sequel will take between $11 million to $15 million, screening across approximately 3,000 North American theaters. Comparatively, Better Man, starring Robbie Williams as rendered through CGI, is anticipated to earn around $2 million from just 1,200 theaters due to its limited initial release.
Playing the lead role as the relentless detective Nick "Big Nick" O’Brien, Butler returns to the fold, once again directed by Christian Gudegast. The dynamic chemistry between Butler and Jackson is expected to be a driving force, with Jackson reprising his role as the suave criminal mastermind Donnie Wilson. Gudegast aims to create yet another exhilarating experience by injecting humor and adrenaline to the already familiar heist genre. Butler remarked on the film's swift production timeline, stating, "There's less time to think about it and overwork things, and you're just in it." His reflections suggest reliance on instinct and energy rather than overthinking the plot mechanics.
From plot summaries, expect to find Butler's character tracking the action through Europe as he chases down Donnie and attempts to thwart his massive diamond heist plans. This blend of gripping action, police procedure, and the looming question of morality adds complexity to the narrative. Meanwhile, the film pivots toward the international stage, taking viewers from Los Angeles to the picturesque yet perilous streets of Marseilles.
On the other hand, Better Man is taking some bold risks with its premise of depicting the life of pop icon Robbie Williams through the lens of a CGI chimpanzee. Initially released on limited screens, the film sparked curiosity but has resulted in disappointing box office returns, totaling just $91,696 as it prepares for expanded release. Variety's Peter Debruge notes the film has received positive buzz for its unique approach: "Against all odds, the gimmick works, distinguishing the project from so many other cookie-cutter pop-star hagiographies." For Paramount, how the audience receives this blend of whimsy and serious storytelling will determine its staying power at the box office.
Despite the excitement surrounding weekend openings, unforeseen challenges loom, such as wildfires impacting Los Angeles. This environmental crisis caused Paramount to cancel the Los Angeles premiere of Better Man, and could possibly affect overall attendance during the opening weekend. Even so, Lionsgate maintains optimism for Den of Thieves 2 through January, typically less crowded for new film openings. The movie industry hopes to use January as its kick-off for recovery from the pandemic-era slump.
Films like Mufasa: The Lion King, which opened to substantial earnings of $23.4 million, set the bar high. Its consistent weekend performance will likely play a pivotal role, potentially overshadowing the competition from Den of Thieves 2. The success of the former affirms Disney’s hold on box office supremacy as 2025 gets underway.
With genres clashing and audiences discerning during the transitional month, the outcomes of Den of Thieves 2 and Better Man remain uncertain yet influential. Both films symbolize efforts to reignite cinema attendance and provide contrasting case studies of both the challenges and innovation present within the current film industry. The results of this weekend will offer insights not just for Lionsgate and Paramount, but for all studios poised for survival and success as viewer habits continue to evolve.
Each film's reception hinges not only on star power and creative narratives, but also the gradually stirring cultural phenomenons surrounding cinema itself. Whether Den of Thieves 2 and Better Man stand both as early successes or cautionary tales remains to be seen as audiences decide what they'll watch on the silver screen.