Box Office: ‘Smile 2’ Makes $2.5 Million in Previews

(Variety) – Turn those box office frowns upside down, because “Smile 2,” the sequel to Paramount’s surprise horror hit, is opening this weekend.

The film, written and directed once again by Parker Finn, has made $2.5 million in Thursday previews so far at the box office. In comparison, the 2022 original film made $2 million in previews back in the first weekend of October.

“Smile 2,” which continues the demonic, grin-filled horror, is expected to make anywhere from $20 million to $25 million in its opening weekend, but some projections are even higher. However, Paramount sources are more conservative and eyeing an opening in the high teens. The first “Smile” movie, which was originally made for a streaming release, had a $22.6 million opening in 2022. It became a successful sleeper hit with $105 million domestically and $217 million globally at the box office by the end of its run.

With a $28 million production budget, “Smile 2” stands to be another low-cost horror hit for Paramount. After the first movie introduced the smile-inducing, demonic force that causes victims to go mad and kill themselves, the sequel ratchets up the intensity. Naomi Scott stars as Skye Riley, a world-famous pop star who becomes the latest person haunted by the evil demon. As she embarks on a comeback world tour, Skye slowly loses her mind and begins seeing hallucinations in her droves of adoring fans. The cast also includes Rosemarie DeWitt, Lukas Gage, Kyle Gallner, Dylan Gelula, Raul Castillo, Peter Jacobsen, Ray Nicholson and more.