Box office preview: ‘Smile 2’ keeps spooky season alive with a second horror sequel in a row

One hit horror sequel deserves another, and Art the Clown won’t be the only one smiling this weekend. Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.

Despite the huge success of Damien Leone‘s “Terrifier 3,” Art the Clown will have to deal with the fact there is likely to be an even bigger horror sequel this weekend as Paramount Pictures releases “Smile 2.” It’s the follow-up to the 2022 hit horror movie from filmmaker Parker Finn, which opened with $22.6 million on its way to $105.9 million domestic and $217 million worldwide. It should go without saying that October is the perfect month for a horror release, but oddly, the original “Smile” opened on September 30, then had sustained legs with smaller week-to-week drops. Other horror franchises that have dominated the month of October include the “Saw” and “Paranormal Activity” movies, both which saw huge bumps in business with their second chapters. (Other major horror franchises like “Scream” and “The Conjuring” movies never had an October release, other than the first “Annabelle” spin-off in 2014.)

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Because the original “Smile” built itself up such a strong fanbase with its terrific reviews (80% on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience score to match), there will definitely be more anticipation and interest for this sequel which involves a pop singer, played by Naomi Scott (“Aladdin”), who is plagued by the smiling curse. Returning from the first movie is Kyle Gallner – who just starred in the hit indie thriller “Strange Darling” – with new characters played by Ray Nicholson, Raúl Castillo, Lukas Gage and Rosemarie DeWitt. Even Drew Barrymore makes an appearance as herself, maybe to remind horror fans that she was the very first kill in Wes Craven‘s hugely successful horror franchise, “Scream,” back in 1996.

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Reviews for “Smile 2” ran early on Wednesday morning, although early word suggests that fans of the first movie will enjoy this sequel. Considering the success of the first movie, it’s hard to imagine “Smile 2” not opening with somewhere over $30 million this weekend. We’ll have to wait and see how hard “Terrifier 3” gets hit by the new horror competition in its second weekend.

Ketchup Entertainment is releasing the Michael Keaton–Mila Kunis dramedy “Goodrich” into roughly 1,000 theaters this weekend with Keaton (who hosts “Saturday Night Live” this Saturday) playing an art gallery dealer, who has to care for his kids when his wife (Laura Benanti) checks herself into rehab. At the same time, he learns that his adult daughter (Kunis) is pregnant. Directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer (“Home Again”), the cast includes Carmen Ejogo, Andie MacDowell and Kevin Pollak. Other than Keaton’s “SNL” appearance this weekend, the movie doesn’t seem to have much marketing behind it, so it’s likely to end up near the bottom of the Top 10 with less than $2 million.

Roadside Attractions is releasing artist Titus Kaphar‘s feature film directorial debut, “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” a moving drama starring André Holland (“Moonlight”), as well as Oscar nominees Andra Day (“United States vs. Billie Holiday”) and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard”). Holland plays painter Tarrell, whose estranged father La’Ron (stage vet John Earl Jelks) comes back into his life after years living on the streets. The movie received rave reviews out of its Sundance premiere, but it will only open in roughly 750 theaters, which might make it tougher to find an audience, with $2 million likely to be the most it makes this weekend, putting it towards the bottom of the top 10 along with “Goodrich.”

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It’s been five months since Sean Baker‘s “Anora,” starring Mikey Madison, won the coveted Palme D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and after wowing audiences at other festivals, it will finally be getting a limited release via Neon this weekend ahead of a slow roll-out into wide release. With stunning reviews – currently at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes – “Anora” is currently projected to be one of this year’s Oscar Best Picture frontrunners, as well as receiving many other nominations.

Cate Blanchett stars in “Rumours,” the new political comedy from Canadian eccentric auteur Guy Maddin along with co-directors Evan and Galen Johnson, which will get a limited release this weekend from Bleecker Street.

After a terrific platform release in New York and L.A., A24 is expanding “Brooklyn” director John Crowley‘s drama “We Live in Time,” starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, into limited release. We’ll have to see how well it expands ahead of its nationwide release on October 25.

Check back sometime Sunday for our weekly report of how the above movies did compared to my projections.

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