Hollywood star Gerard Butler has done it again. With the release of Criminal Squad 2 (original title: Den of Thieves 2: Pantera), the action-packed sequel has claimed the top spot in the North American box office, dethroning Disney’s Mufasa.
A Strong Start for “Criminal Squad 2”
The Lionsgate production exceeded expectations during its opening weekend in the US and Canada, raking in an impressive $15.5 million in its first three days. Considering its estimated production budget of $40 million, the film is off to a solid start. Starring Gerard Butler, known for hits like 300 and Olympus Has Fallen, Criminal Squad 2 promises to deliver a gripping experience for action movie enthusiasts.
“Mufasa” Loses Its Crown
The success of Criminal Squad 2 marks the end of Mufasa’s reign at the top of the US box office charts. The live-action spin-off of Disney’s The Lion King had held the number one spot since its release during the holiday season. So far, the film has grossed nearly $188 million in the US alone, with a global total approaching $540 million. However, with production costs estimated at over $200 million (excluding marketing expenses), it faces tough competition from new releases.
Other Box Office Highlights
Securing third place is Sonic the Hedgehog 3, which has now accumulated $204 million domestically and nearly $385 million globally. Meanwhile, Nosferatu, the reimagined horror classic featuring Bill Skarsgård, holds fourth place with an additional $6.8 million in its third weekend. The vampire film’s worldwide gross has climbed to $136 million, a significant improvement compared to director Robert Eggers’ previous work, The Northman, which achieved only half that amount.
“Moana 2” Nears a Billion-Dollar Milestone
Rounding out the top five is Disney’s animated sequel Moana 2 (titled Vaiana 2 in some regions). Released during Thanksgiving, the film has already grossed $989 million globally. With this trajectory, the Polynesian princess is expected to cross the $1 billion mark in the coming days. This milestone eluded the original Moana in 2016, which reached a total of $643 million worldwide.
As Criminal Squad 2 continues to perform well, Gerard Butler reaffirms his status as a box office favorite, while Disney’s animated and live-action offerings maintain their dominance in global cinema.
