The 2025 box office is set to kick off slowly with two new films hoping to attract audiences: Lionsgate’s “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” and Paramount’s “Better Man.”
“Den of Thieves 2,” featuring Gerard Butler as a sheriff tackling crime, aims for an opening weekend of $11 million to $13 million across 3,000 theaters. Meanwhile, “Better Man,” a musical biopic about British singer Robbie Williams portrayed by a CGI chimpanzee, is projected to earn around $2 million from 1,200 venues. However, the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles could impact attendance in this key market.
Paramount has already canceled the film’s L.A. premiere due to the fires and high winds.
The success of “Den of Thieves 2” at the box office may hinge on its competition with Disney’s “Mufasa,” which has already grossed $170 million domestically and is expected to earn another $12 million to $15 million in its fourth weekend. The original “Den of Thieves” debuted to $15.2 million in January 2018 and ultimately grossed $80 million worldwide. Lionsgate is optimistic that the sequel will perform well throughout January, a typically quieter month for new releases.
Christian Gudegast returns as writer and director for “Pantera,” which follows Butler’s character, Big Nick, as he tracks down an ex-marine-turned-robber in Europe. The film had a budget of $40 million, with Lionsgate mitigating risks by selling foreign distribution rights.
On the other hand, “Better Man” presents a unique take on musical biopics, using a CGI monkey to depict Robbie Williams’ journey.
Directed by Michael Gracey, known for “The Greatest Showman,” the film explores Williams’ rise to fame through a lens that reflects his feelings of inadequacy. The film opened in limited release in December and has earned only $91,696 so far.
As Hollywood looks to rebound from the pandemic and recent strikes, January offers few new releases beyond these two films. Upcoming titles include Universal’s horror thriller “Wolf Man” and Sony’s comedy “One of Them Days.” The winter season is expected to pick up with Marvel’s “Captain America: Brave New World” debuting on February 14.
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