With “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” (Lionsgate), Gerard Butler displayed his bona fides as one of the most reliable draws for action releases. Opening at #1 with $15.5 million, it came in a little ahead of projections and led #2 “ Mufasa: The Lion King” (Disney).

Pantera” stole the box office crown, debuting at No. 1 with $15.5 million from 3,008 North American theaters. The sequel to 2018’s “Den of Thieves” opened on the higher end of expectations and landed about even with its predecessor’s $15.

Today, however, it feels like we are finally seeing the start of the 2025 box office, as Christian Gudegast's Den Of Thieves 2: Pantera has arrived and is sitting at the top of the domestic charts. It's been a few years since its predecessor played on the big screen,