While it isn’t quite the smash hit that its predecessor was,Smile 2has emerged as a bit of an anomaly by 2024 standards. It’s the rare studio horror film to have done well at the box office, and in its fifth weekend of release, the film managed to pass a couple of important milestones.Smile 2serves as a follow-up to the originalSmile, which was originally designed as a streaming title, but was released in theaters following positive test screenings. The gamble paid off, and thanks to an effective viral marketing campaign, the movie ended up grossing over $200 million worldwide, and more than $100 million domestically.
Like the first film,Smile 2is also directed byParker Finn. Themovie has grossed over $65 million domesticallyso far, andmore than $130 million worldwide. Combined, the two Smile movies have generated nearly $350 million worldwide, and over $170 million stateside. The firstSmilewas produced on a reported budget of just $17 million, while thesequel is said to have cost a little under $30 million. Nonetheless, it’s the kind of studio horror hit that we haven’t really seen much this year.
Smile 2is currentlythe fourth-biggest horror movie of the year domestically, behindA Quiet Place: Day One($138 million),Alien: Romulus($105 million), andLonglegs($74 million). In terms of worldwide figures, it has now overtakenLonglegs’ $125 million lifetime haul to become the third-biggest horror film of 2024. This year, a string of scary movies released by major studios have faltered commercially. For instance, films such asNight Swim,Imaginary,The First Omen,Abigail,The Strangers: Chapter 1,andTarotall failed to hit the $50 million mark domestically in their lifetime runs. However, indie horror films such asLonglegs,The Substance,Immaculate,Terrifier 3,andLate Night with the Devilall did relatively well.
‘Smile 2’ Received Excellent Reviews From Audiences and Critics
Smile 2hadexcellent reviews going for it. It holds a “fresh” 85% rating on the aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, which is higher than the first film’s 79% score. Additionally, both Smile movies have been embraced by audiences, which is rare for the horror genre.In his review, Collider’sJeff Ewingdescribed the movie as “an exceptional sequel that improves almost every aspect of the original.”
StarringNaomi Scottas a troubled pop star,Smile 2also featuresRosemarie DeWitt,Lukas Gage,Miles Gutierrez-Riley,Peter Jacobson,Raúl Castillo,Dylan Gelula, andRay Nicholson, and a returningKyle Gallnerfrom the first film. you may watch the film in theaters, or wait for it to hit digital streaming platforms this week. 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.
Get Tickets
