Bob Odenkirk is back in action, but his latest outing, Nobody 2, is starting off a bit quieter than expected at the domestic box office. Despite the buzz surrounding the sequel, it’s settling into third place behind Zach Cregger’s horror hit Weapons, which continues to scare up audiences in its second weekend. And for Universal, the family-friendly Disney comedy Freakier Friday isn’t doing much to shake things up either.
How Nobody 2 is Performing
Nobody 2 follows a seemingly average suburban dad who moonlights as a stealth operative, blending high-octane action with a dose of humor. Fans of the first film know Odenkirk’s understated charm carries the story, but this weekend’s numbers suggest it’s opening on the lower end of expectations. The sequel is projected to bring in around $9.4 million, accompanied by a B+ CinemaScore from audiences. Interestingly, Rotten Tomatoes’ audience rating is much more encouraging at 92%, hinting that word-of-mouth could buoy the movie in the coming weeks.
For some context, the original Nobody opened during the pandemic with a modest $6.8 million, ultimately racking up a solid $68 million domestically. With a production budget of just $26 million before marketing, Universal doesn’t have much to worry about. Plus, the studio has perfected its PVOD (premium video-on-demand) strategy, meaning Nobody 2 will likely find a second wind when it hits premium streaming as early as three weeks from now.
The Horror Leader: Weapons
While Odenkirk’s sequel struggles to top the chart, Weapons is proving that horror films can hold strong past their opening weekend. Released by New Line and Warner Bros., the movie is estimated to earn up to $25 million in its sophomore weekend, dropping only 42 percent—a remarkable feat for a horror release. Its continued dominance reinforces the film’s status as a bona fide water-cooler phenomenon, with audiences buzzing about the scares and thrills.
To put that in perspective, Weapons’ per-location average is north of $7,000 across 3,450 theaters. Compare that to Nobody 2, which is playing in a similar number of cinemas but bringing in less than half per location, and it’s clear which film is capturing the weekend’s attention.
Family-Friendly Contender: Freakier Friday
Meanwhile, Disney’s Freakier Friday, reuniting Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, is holding steady in its second weekend. The family comedy is projected to bring in $14 million to $15 million, dropping roughly 50 percent—a respectable figure for a sophomore outing. With nearly 4,000 theaters across the country, it’s keeping audiences entertained and maintaining a solid per-location average of around $4,000. While it won’t dethrone the horror sensation, it’s proving that the family crowd is still strong in the post-pandemic market.
Smaller Releases and Prestige Films
Nobody 2 isn’t the only new release trying to make an impact. Spike Lee’s prestige film Highest 2 Lowest, reuniting him with Denzel Washington after years apart, has opened in select theaters before heading to Apple+. The film, distributed by Apple Original Films and released by A24, is playing in roughly 200 theaters. Early projections estimate an opening of $894,000, translating to a per-location average of $4,062. While this is modest compared to blockbuster numbers, the strategy focuses on critical acclaim and streaming buzz rather than traditional box office dominance.
Similarly, Lionsgate’s Americana—starring Sydney Sweeney alongside Paul Walter Hauser and Halsey—is facing a harsh reception in its nationwide debut. Opening in 1,100 theaters, the crime-heist drama is projected to bring in just $840,000, a paltry per-theater average of $460, landing it in sixteenth place. Despite positive critical reception, the movie has had a long road to theaters, premiering at SXSW in 2023 but only arriving on screens two years later, which may have dulled audience excitement.
What This Weekend Tells Us
From the data, it’s clear that genre matters—and timing matters even more. Horror remains a strong weekend draw, with Weapons proving that well-executed scares and word-of-mouth can sustain box office performance. Family films like Freakier Friday rely on established brands and star power to keep audiences engaged. Meanwhile, action sequels like Nobody 2, despite strong critical support and fanbase loyalty, can struggle initially, especially in a crowded market.
The weekend also highlights the shifting landscape for smaller, prestige, and streaming-linked films. Titles like Highest 2 Lowest and Americana show that limited releases can build buzz or flop spectacularly depending on awareness, timing, and platform strategy. Apple+’s partnership with A24, for example, is an experiment in blending theatrical prestige with streaming convenience—a model likely to become more common as studios refine how they release content.
Key Takeaways:
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Nobody 2 opens modestly at $9.4 million but could rebound strongly on PVOD.
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Weapons dominates again, proving horror films can sustain momentum.
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Freakier Friday holds well with families, grossing $14–15 million second weekend.
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Prestige films like Highest 2 Lowest are targeting limited audiences before streaming.
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Americana suffers in wide release despite strong reviews, highlighting marketing challenges.
While Odenkirk’s action-packed dad saga might not top the charts immediately, its loyal fanbase, combined with savvy streaming strategies, ensures it won’t be a flop. Horror remains a king of the box office hill, family comedies hold steady, and streaming-linked prestige films continue to carve out their niche.
Overall, it’s a weekend that underscores the diversity of audience appetites: some crave scares, some laugh at clever family comedies, and others appreciate cinematic prestige, even if it comes in a tiny theater or on a screen at home. For studios, navigating these tastes—and the timing of releases—has never been more critical.
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