AceShowbiz - "Smile 2", the sequel to the 2022 psychological thriller "Smile", has debuted with a strong $23 million at the weekend box office, snatching the No. 1 spot. The film stars Naomi Scott as a pop singer entangled in a series of disturbing events during her tour.

As observed with its predecessor, "Smile 2" links these frightening moments to a sinister smile that transfers from person to person, leaving a trail of tragedy in its wake. Director Parker Finn intentionally took the story in an unexpected direction, raising questions about whether they had unintentionally inflicted the curse upon the character played by Scott.

Despite the horror genre's prevalence, "The Wild Robot" managed to secure the No. 2 spot, earning another $10.1 million in its fourth weekend. The animated adaptation of Peter Brown's children's novel has reached $101.7 million domestically.

Independent horror "Terrifier 3" held its ground in third place, amassing $9.3 million towards its $36.2 million domestic total. The low-budget slasher film has surpassed the box office haul of its predecessor, "Terrifier 2".

The much-anticipated sequel "Joker: Folie a Deux" failed to impress, landing in sixth place with a mere $2.2 million in its third weekend. Its domestic total stands at $56.4 million, a far cry from the original film's success.

"Beetlejuice Beetlejuice", another Tim Burton sequel, took fourth place with $5 million, bringing its total to $283.9 million domestically. The film sees the return of Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara and Michael Keaton to the land of the undead.

Rounding out the top five is "We Live in Time", a romantic tearjerker starring Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, which earned $4.1 million in its second weekend.

Despite its limited release, Sean Baker's "Anora" made a splash, debuting with $540,000 in just six theaters. The film has garnered critical acclaim and will expand its release later this month.

The success of "Smile 2", "Terrifier 3" and "Anora" signals that moviegoers are seeking a diverse range of cinematic experiences. As the fall season progresses, more highly anticipated titles, such as "Venom: The Last Dance" and "Moana 2", are expected to boost theater attendance.

Top 10 of North American Box Office (Oct. 18-20, 2024):

1. "Smile 2" - $23 million
2. "The Wild Robot" - $10.1 million
3. "Terrifier 3" - $9.3 million
4. "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" - $5 million
5. "We Live in Time" - $4.2 million
6. "Joker: Folie a Deux" - $2.2 million
7. "Piece by Piece" - $3.8 million
8. "Transformers One" - $1.9 million
9. "Saturday Night" - $1.8 million
10. "The Nightmare Before Christmas" 2024 Re-release - $1.1 million