LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Lionsgate’s heist film Den of Thieves 2: Pantera opened atop the North American box office this weekend with an estimated US$15.5 million in ticket sales, industry watchers said Sunday.

“This is a good opening for the second episode in a crime thriller series,” said analyst David A Gross. “These movies are made for audiences, not critics.”

Gerald Butler plays Los Angeles sheriff “Big Nick” as he travels to Europe in pursuit of a dangerous gang of thieves. The story was inspired by the US$100-million Antwerp heist of 2003, the largest diamond robbery ever.

Disney animation Mufasa: The Lion King slipped a spot from last weekend, to US$13.2 million. Its accumulated ticket sales have passed the half-billion-dollar mark, with US$188.7 million domestically and US$350 million internationally.

Paramount’s action comedy Sonic the Hedgehog 3 also dropped a spot, to third. The video game-based film had estimated ticket sales of US$11 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported.

Also down one spot from last weekend was Focus Features’ Dracula-inspired vampire pic Nosferatu, at US$6.8 million.

And slipping from fourth to fifth was Disney blockbuster Moana 2, at US$6.5 million. Its ticket sales in seven weeks out are nearing the billion-dollar mark, at US$434.9 million domestically and US$554 million internationally.

Gross meantime noted that the 2024 domestic box office, while ending with a strong six-week stretch, finished about three per cent below 2023 — and roughly 24 per cent below the average of the three pre-pandemic years.

Rounding out the top 10 were: Wicked (US$5 million); A Complete Unknown (US$5 million); Babygirl (US$3.1 million); The Last Showgirl (US$1.5 million); Gladiator II (US$1.2 million)