In its highly anticipated domestic box office debut, Bob Odenkirk’s Nobody 2 is settling for a disappointing third-place finish. The sequel to the original film is competing against strong contenders like Zach Cregger’s horror film, Weapons, which continues to perform exceptionally well in its second weekend, and Disney’s family comedy, Freakier Friday.
Currently, Nobody 2 is projected to open at the lower end of expectations, bringing in approximately $9.4 million. This performance follows a modest B+ CinemaScore from audiences. However, the film is faring better on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes, where it boasts an impressive 92 percent audience approval rating.
The first installment of Nobody had a successful launch during the pandemic era, earning $6.8 million upon release and going on to gross a commendable $68 million domestically. The sequel, with a production budget of just $26 million (excluding marketing costs), is not causing any distress for Universal Pictures, as they anticipate recovering losses once the film becomes available on premium VOD platforms in about three weeks.
From New Line and Warner Bros., Weapons is expected to maintain its dominance at the box office, potentially earning up to $25 million in its sophomore outing, representing a modest 42 percent drop from its opening weekend. This impressive hold for a horror film solidifies its status as a cultural phenomenon and a conversation starter.
On the other hand, Freakier Friday, which reunites beloved stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, is also performing well in its second weekend. The film is projected to earn between $14 million to $15 million, showcasing a respectable decline within the 50 percent range.
Nobody 2 may not be the only new release this weekend, but it is certainly outshining its competitors. One such competitor is Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, which marks a reunion with Denzel Washington after years apart. This film is currently opening in select theaters before being made available on Apple TV+. Distributed by A24, it is limited to around 220 theaters, and while specific grosses have not been reported, estimates suggest it could earn around $894,000 this weekend, resulting in a lackluster per-location average of $4,062.
In comparison, Weapons is playing in 3,450 cinemas with a projected location average exceeding $7,200. Meanwhile, Freakier Friday, which is booked in 3,975 cinemas, is estimated to achieve a location average of about $4,000. Generally, specialty films should exhibit a significantly higher location average, especially when juxtaposed against films released in a substantially larger number of theaters.
As the weekend progresses, Nobody 2 faces tough competition from established hits like Weapons and Freakier Friday. Despite its modest box office performance, the film is expected to gain traction through premium VOD releases, ensuring that Universal Pictures remains optimistic about its financial prospects.
