The Gerard Butler action sequel box office results have drawn attention this year as Den of Thieves 2: Pantera underperformed compared to expectations, while Danny Boyle’s 28 Years Later achieved a milestone by surpassing $65 million globally. These figures highlight shifting audience preferences in 2025, as familiar franchises compete for dominance on the charts.
Mixed Performance for Den of Thieves 2: Pantera
Despite a strong season for so-called “dad movies” like The Accountant 2, The Amateur, and A Working Man, Den of Thieves 2: Pantera failed to replicate the success of its predecessor. Gerard Butler led the cast in this action sequel, which managed to recover its reported budget at the global box office, winding up with $58 million in earnings — a far cry from the numbers brought in by the original film. Directed by Christian Gudegast, who also helmed the first installment in 2018, the sequel was produced for about $40 million. While both films garnered positive comparisons to crime movies directed by Michael Mann, only the original was considered a significant hit.
On Rotten Tomatoes, Den of Thieves 2 currently holds a 62% score from critics, with audiences providing stronger support at 79%. When it made its debut on streaming services, the sequel immediately attracted viewers, remaining on the streaming charts for several weeks. Its online popularity echoed the original’s legacy, as home release enthusiasm for Den of Thieves played a crucial role in justifying the sequel’s production.
‘28 Years Later’ Rises Above Expectations
In contrast to the Gerard Butler action sequel box office showing, the sequel to the cult hit 28 Days Later delivered critical and commercial success. With over $65 million in global ticket sales — including over $3 million earned just this past Tuesday — Danny Boyle’s zombie horror film quickly surpassed Den of Thieves 2 in revenue. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, Ralph Fiennes, and newcomer Alfie Williams, the movie cost around $60 million to make, yet it’s on track to become the franchise’s first installment to break the $100 million mark in the coming weekend.
The horror sequel enjoys strong support from critics, currently reflected in an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Nonetheless, regular moviegoers have been more reserved, granting the film a 64% audience score. The film’s momentum hasn’t gone unnoticed in Hollywood, with a follow-up titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple already completed and scheduled for release in January.
Competing Releases and Future Prospects
While Den of Thieves 2: Pantera was overtaken on the box office charts by 28 Years Later, Gerard Butler remains visible on the big screen in the live-action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon, which recently surpassed $370 million worldwide. In an interesting twist, How to Train Your Dragon managed to outpace 28 Years Later for the top spot on the domestic charts last weekend, demonstrating the increasingly competitive landscape as established franchises battle for audience attention.
As 28 Years Later prepares for continued global expansion, with its next installment already in the pipeline, and Den of Thieves 2 finds new life while streaming, the direction of franchise filmmaking appears poised to evolve according to shifting audience tastes and box office realities. The outcomes this year not only affect Gerard Butler and his collaborators, but also offer insights into the broader trends shaping the movie industry in 2025.
