Box Office: 'Weapons' Tops 'Nobody 2' with $25M as Sydney Sweeney's 'Americana' Flops at $500K

Box Office Highlights: A Mixed Weekend for New Releases

The latest box office results reveal a mix of successes and challenges for new releases, with some films performing well while others struggle to gain traction. Among the most notable debuts is Nobody 2, the sequel to the modestly budgeted action film that first captured audiences in 2021. This time around, the movie opened in third place domestically, earning $9.3 million in its debut. Audiences gave it a B+ CinemaScore, while Rotten Tomatoes praised it with an 89% rating. The film's global total reached $14.2 million, showing early promise.

The original Nobody had a strong start during the pandemic, opening with $6.8 million and eventually grossing $68 million domestically. The sequel, which cost $26 million to produce before marketing, is expected to recoup its costs when it hits premium VOD in just three weeks. Universal has refined the PVOD strategy, ensuring that even lower-performing films can still generate significant revenue.

Meanwhile, Zach Cregger’s horror film Weapons continued its dominance at the box office, securing the top spot in its second weekend with $25 million. The film only dropped 43% from its opening week, an impressive feat for a horror title. Its overseas performance was equally strong, with a 33% drop to $18.4 million, bringing the worldwide total to $148.8 million. The film has become a cultural phenomenon, sparking conversations across social media and proving that horror can still be a powerful force at the box office.

Disney’s family comedy Freakier Friday, starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, also performed well in its sophomore outing, earning $14.5 million domestically. The film, which has a budget under $45 million, has amassed $86.3 million worldwide. However, it saw a 50% drop in domestic earnings, indicating that its appeal may be waning.

While Nobody 2 was the standout among new releases, other films struggled to make an impact. Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, which reunites him with Denzel Washington for the first time in 18 years, opened in select theaters ahead of its release on Apple TV+ in early September. Unlike other recent Apple projects, such as 51: The Movie, this film does not seem to be part of the company’s broader theatrical push. A24 has not released any official grosses, leaving its performance unclear.

Lionsgate’s Americana, starring Sydney Sweeney, faced a difficult debut, opening in 1,123 theaters with just $500,000 in earnings. The crime-heist film, which received critical acclaim, had been delayed for over two years after premiering at SXSW in 2023. Lionsgate claims the film is part of a multi-platform strategy, including premium VOD, but the low opening numbers have raised concerns.

The film’s poor performance coincided with a major controversy surrounding Sweeney. The actress became the center of a social media firestorm after American Eagle pulled its "Sydney Has Great Jeans" campaign. Critics accused the ad of promoting eugenics or Nazi propaganda due to Sweeney’s appearance—white, blond-haired, and blue-eyed. While many dismissed the claims as baseless, the debate went viral, even drawing attention from former President Donald Trump. Sweeney, who registered as a Republican in Florida before the 2024 election, found herself at the center of a larger conversation about race, identity, and public perception.

As the box office continues to evolve, these stories highlight the complex factors that influence a film’s success. From strategic distribution choices to the impact of social media, the industry remains dynamic and unpredictable. With more releases on the horizon, the coming weeks will be crucial for determining which films can sustain momentum and which may fade into obscurity.