Box Office Blitz: Inside Out 2 Leads as New Releases Hit Theaters

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Inside Out 2 is totally crushing it at the box office as it heads into its second weekend. The Pixar sequel isn't just breaking records; it's rewriting the playbook on how animated films dominate. Just look at these numbers: it's zooming past Dune: Part Two to snag the title of 2024's highest-grossing film in the USA, pulling in over $283 million in just eight days! And that's not all - globally, it's already crossed the $500 million mark after banking $481.4 million by Thursday. Talk about a cash cow!

Over in North America, Inside Out 2 is set to rule the weekend yet again with an estimated $85 million to $90 million haul. Even with a drop of less than 40 percent from its debut, it's still pushing its domestic total close to $350 million by Sunday. And internationally? It's a juggernaut, adding another $226.7 million to its kitty through Thursday. By the end of its second weekend, this film could easily bank between $650 million to $700 million worldwide. Dune might be holding onto the global crown for now with $711.8 million, but Inside Out 2 is hot on its heels.

Meanwhile, in the competitive landscape of the box office, other films are making waves too. Sony's Bad Boys: Ride or Die, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, is comfortably holding its ground at No. 2 in its third weekend, pulling in a cool $15 million to $16 million. Its domestic total is inching towards the impressive $150 million mark, proving that buddy cop action still has a massive audience.

Among the new releases, The Bikeriders from Focus Features and New Regency is revving its engines in third place with an expected $9 million to $10 million debut, following solid previews. Directed by Jeff Nichols and featuring a star-studded cast including Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, and Tom Hardy, this 1960s motorcycle gang saga is aiming to draw in older male viewers with its gritty narrative and powerhouse performances.

On the flip side, Russell Crowe's latest outing, The Exorcism, seems to be hitting a rough patch. Early reports suggest it might barely scrape together less than $2 million in its opening weekend, marking a disappointing start for the indie flick. Crowe plays an actor caught in a sinister spiral during the filming of a horror movie, a premise that promised intrigue but may not be resonating with audiences as expected.

Over in the specialty box office, there's buzz around Yorgos Lanthimos' Kinds of Kindness, fresh off its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. This star-studded affair features Jesse Plemons, Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Margaret Qualley, Joe Alwyn, Hong Chau, and Mamoudou Athie, promising a blend of Lanthimos' trademark surrealism and stellar performances. It's the kind of film that cinephiles are eager to sink their teeth into, offering a sophisticated alternative to the mainstream fare dominating the multiplexes.

In summary, while Inside Out 2 continues to dazzle with its box office prowess, the rest of the cinematic landscape is bustling with its own contenders and surprises. From action-packed sequels to thought-provoking indies, there's something for every moviegoer this weekend. Whether you're in the mood for animated adventures or gripping dramas, the theaters are buzzing with excitement. And who knows? The next blockbuster sensation might just be around the corner, waiting to capture our imaginations and box office receipts alike.