Gerard Butler’s latest action-packed sequel, Pantera, has taken the spotlight at the North American box office. The film opened with a robust $15.5 million over the second full weekend of 2025, surpassing expectations and marking Lionsgate's return to the top spot after several months. Despite concerns about wildfires in the Los Angeles area, moviegoers remained undeterred, with cinemas continuing to perform well. Meanwhile, other films like The Brutalist and Mufasa: The Lion King also saw significant earnings, while some, such as Robbie Williams' biopic Better Man, struggled to connect with audiences.

The success of Pantera comes as a breath of fresh air for Lionsgate, which hasn't had a No. 1 hit in quite some time. Produced by Tucker Tooley, this male-driven heist film not only matched the performance of its 2018 predecessor but also demonstrated that audiences are still hungry for high-octane thrill rides. The film's impressive opening is particularly noteworthy given the ongoing wildfires in the greater Los Angeles area, where many theaters continued to draw crowds despite localized closures and slowdowns in certain locations. Distribution sources report that only a few smaller venues were affected, mainly in Altadena-Pasadena, while major complexes like AMC Universal Citywalk and AMC Americana Glendale experienced slight dips in attendance.

While Pantera soared, other films faced mixed fortunes. Paramount’s Better Man, a biopic of British pop star Robbie Williams, expanded into 1,291 theaters after a limited Christmas Day release but failed to resonate with broader audiences. Despite strong reviews and audience scores, the film earned just $1.1 million, possibly due to its unconventional portrayal of Williams as a computer-generated monkey. On the other hand, Searchlight’s A Complete Unknown, a Bob Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet, landed in sixth place with $5 million, bolstered by recent SAG nominations. The film has now crossed the $50 million mark domestically.

In the competitive landscape of the box office, Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King held steady in second place with $13.2 million, pushing its global total past $540 million. Meanwhile, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 dashed past the $200 million mark domestically, with a global tally of $394 million. Focus Features’ vampire flick Nosferatu also performed solidly, earning $6.8 million and bringing its worldwide total to $135.8 million. These varied performances highlight the unpredictable nature of the box office, where success can hinge on both critical acclaim and audience reception.

As the dust settles on this weekend's box office, it's clear that Pantera has set a new benchmark for action sequels. While challenges persist, particularly in regions affected by natural disasters, the resilience of moviegoers and the diversity of offerings continue to shape the industry. The coming weeks will reveal whether this momentum can be sustained, especially with more high-profile releases on the horizon.