It’s been slim pickings for horror movies this year, especially those distributed by major studios. ButSmile 2has emerged as a modest hit, even though it hasn’t been able to match the stupendous success of its predecessor. Nevertheless,the two Smile movies are now on the verge of passing a major global box office milestone, definitively cementing the franchise’s appeal. Both films have been directed byParker Finn, and, somewhat unusually for the horror genre, have earned very positive reviews.
With $66 million apiece both domestically and in overseas markets,Smile 2has grossed around $132 million worldwideso far. By comparison, the originalSmilemanaged to pass the coveted $100 million mark domestically, and concluded its global run with over $215 million. Combined,the two movies have made $349.5 million worldwideso far, which means that the franchise should be able to pass the $350 million mark in a day or two.
The success of the firstSmilemovie was somewhat unexpected. It was actually destined for a direct-to-streaming release, but Paramount reconsidered its plans afterpositive test screenings. Credit where it’s due, after deciding to give the movie a theatrical release, the studio unleashed aneffective viral marketing campaignthat drummed up considerable interest in the movie prior to its debut in 2022.Smilegrossed $22 million in its opening weekend domestically — a strong figure for an original horror title.
‘Smile 2’ Is Among the Best-Reviewed Horror Movies of the Year
Smile 2did slightly better, grossing $23 million in its first three days of release. In fact, itearned superior reviews, and appears to have settled at a “fresh” 86% score on the aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, as compared to the first film’s 79% score.In his review for Collider,Jeff Ewingdescribed it as “an exceptional sequel that improves almost every aspect of the original,” and declared it to be “one of the year’s best horror films.”
While 2024 has seen several acclaimed horror titles, such asLonglegs,I Saw the TV Glow, andThe First Omen, only a handful of them have actually worked at the box office. Even fewer studio releases have left a mark. Produced ona reported budget of under $30 million,Smile 2is now the member of a rather exclusive list that includesA Quiet Place: Day OneandAlien: Romulus. The movie starsNaomi Scottin the lead role, alongsideRosemarie DeWitt,Lukas Gage, and the returningKyle Gallner. The movie is now available to watch at home. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
Smile 2 is the sequel to the 2022 psychological horror film by director Parker Finn that centers on a therapist who witnesses a patient’s suicide, leading to a series of terrifying supernatural events. The sequel will see the return of Finn as director, with Paramount continuing distribution.
