Gerard Butler’s Sequel To His $80 Million Action Movie From 2018 Is Now Streaming On Netflix, And A Third Movie Is Already On The Way

Warning: SPOILERS for Den of Thieves and Den of Thieves 2: Pantera.Gerard Butler’s Den of Thieves 2: Pantera just released on Netflix, and director Christian Gudegast is already wheels up on the next installment. Den of Thieves 2’s ending already set up a potential sequel, so this isn’t entirely surprising. After the first film’s reveal that Donnie was the true mastermind behind the movie’s heist, the sequel follows his new crew as they plan to rip off the World Diamond Center in France. The meaning of Pantera in the film’s title references both Donnie’s new crew, The Panthers, and the task force set on apprehending them.

Much as in Den of Thieves 2’s real-life inspiration, the 2003 Antwerp diamond heist, the team finds themselves up against a number of high-tech security measures. This greatly raises the stakes from the first movie. And while Den of Thieves 2 didn’t perform nearly as well as its predecessor, its current streaming release will allow those who missed it in theaters to decide for themselves whether the film’s numerous changes from the first installment ultimately work in its favor.

Den Of Thieves 2 Is Now Streaming On Netflix After Releasing In Theaters Two Months Ago

Gerard Butler’s Sequel Is Sure to Experience A Popularity Boost

It’s only been a little over two months since Den of Thieves 2’s box office disappointment. Gerard Butler’s sequel to 2018’s Den of Thieves was released in theaters on January 10, 2025. Considering the movie’s 53-day theatrical run, it was barely out of theaters by the time of its Netflix release. The movie actually did better than expected upon its initial release, but the numbers fell quickly. Fortunately, its streaming release might easily provide the movie with the popularity boost it needs.

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A number of movies have trouble getting people into seats, even those who might generally be interested in a particular franchise. Action movies are especially prone to this issue, and it didn’t help that seven years passed between the release of Den of Thieves and its sequel. With momentum stalled for that long, initial interest had largely died down. But those who watch similar films and might want to see how Den of Thieves 2’s Donnie handles his next heist can now bank on the sequel appearing in Netflix’s list of recommended movies.

How Den Of Thieves 2 Compares To The Original Movie In 2018

The Movies Definitely Did Not Achieve Equal Success

Gerard Butler holding a gun in Den of Thieves 2 Pantera

Although neither movie was exactly a critical darling, the first Den of Thieves movie received significantly worse reviews than its sequel. Despite its consensus referring to Den of Thieves 2 as “Dad Cinema,” Rotten Tomatoes reports the sequel receiving a 63% score against the first movie’s 41%. Unfortunately, Pantera’s reviews weren’t enough to save it from box office failure. While the first movie made $80.5 million against a $30 million budget, Den of Thieves 2 increased the budget by $10 million yet only netted $57.1 million, generally considered much too low to break even.

Big Nick (Gerard Butler) lost in his thoughts in Den of Thieves 2: Pantera

Den Of Thieves 2 Officially Beat Michael Mann To The Crime Franchise He Debuted 30 Years Ago

Den of Thieves 2 is officially a franchise with the release of the second film, and it has done so much quicker than Michael Mann’s 1995 classic.

This is especially disappointing because Den of Thieves 2 had a lot more room to expand and play around with its story. After the reveal that Den of Thieves’ Merrimen was never the main villain he appeared to be, the sequel is able to play around a lot more with Donnie and his relationship with Nick. Den of Thieves 2 also makes a number of similar changes from the first movie as the Fast & Furious sequels, such as its international setting, the addition of a new criminal threat, and having its main law enforcement character join the heist team.

Den Of Thieves 3 Is Already In Development

Minor Story Details Have Been Revealed

Close-up of a translucent pink stone in Den of Thieves 2: Pantera

Although Fast & Furious is only one of many movies like Den of Thieves, it appears that the commonalities in their sequels will carry over into Den of Thieves 3. There aren’t a lot of concrete details on Den of Thieves 3’s story just yet, but director Christian Gudegast has said that the movie will take place in Africa and be based on another real-life heist. Lionsgate officially greenlit the threequel within a month of Den of Thieves 2’s release, and Gudegast has said he’s already finished the script.

Gerard Butler from Den of Thieves 2, Jon Bernthal from The Accountant, and Sofia Boutella from Kingsman

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Since Den of Thieves 3 isn’t planned to enter production until 2026, Gudegast’s script could change drastically in the preceding months. However, his ultimate franchise plan reveals that Den of Thieves 2: Pantera sets the mold for at least three future installments. Like the Fast & Furious franchise, Butler’s action films will become a globe-hopping adventure that sees its characters taking flight to Asia and South America in the movies following Den of Thieves 3. And if the sequel’s Netflix release helps boost its popularity, then hopefully future installments may fare better at the box office as a result.

Source: Rotten Tomatoes