Directed by Parker Finn, Smile 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2022 horror hit, has spooked its way to box office success since its release on October 18. This Halloween season, it’s become a must-watch for horror fans, racking up over $23 million domestically during its opening weekend and holding onto a top spot at theaters. While Venom: The Last Dance dominated the weekend, Smile 2 landed a strong second place, but it didn’t stop there. The film has recently passed one of its biggest horror competitors at the global box office, marking yet another victory in its climb up the rankings.
The defeated rival? M. Night Shyamalan’s Trap, a thriller about a serial killer who haunts a concert crowd, didn’t quite hit the mark with audiences. Trap pulled in $82 million, sitting at 43rd place among 2024’s top box-office earners, but Smile 2 has just leapfrogged it with an $84 million tally, claiming 42nd place. And with Halloween fast approaching, Smile 2 is set to pull in even more viewers. Next on its list to surpass is the surprise horror breakout Longlegs, currently sitting at $108 million in 33rd place.
Finn’s return to the Smile world was no small task. Fans wanted a sequel that pushed the limits, and he delivered—upping the ante on gore and unsettling visuals. One particular scene, which he discussed with Collider’s Perri Nemiroff, has already caught the attention (and queasy stomachs) of audiences. In it, Lukas Gage’s character Lewis, caught under the film’s dark influence, repeatedly smashes his own face with a weight plate in a brutal showdown with Naomi Scott’s character, Skye Riley. Finn explained he was going for a contrast with the first Smile film, where Caitlin Stasey’s character had used a sharp, slicing piece of pottery. With Smile 2, Finn wanted “the heaviest, bluntest, just worst thing you could hit yourself with.” And his approach? It’s grimly effective, creating a moment of tense suspense as audiences hold their breath, waiting to see just how much damage Lewis does with each hit.
Also, Read – Is There a Post-Credits Scene After Smile 2?
With Smile 2 now leading over Trap, horror fans have something fresh to sink their teeth into this season. For those looking to catch it, the film is still showing in theaters and promises to haunt the box office for some time to come.
Source: Collider
