If you attended the movie theater recently, and you’re into horror, there’s a very high chance that you saw Smile 2, the direct sequel of Parker Finn’s surprising box office hit of 2022. However, if you’re still one of the few who haven’t been able to catch up, Paramount Pictures is providing a way to see the first seven minutes of the film for free on their website. You just have to do something for them first, and that is to… smile.
Released last month, Smile 2 follows Skye Riley, a world renowned pop star á la Taylor Swift who’s about to embark on a world tour after she took a big break. Skye was involved in a tragic car accident where her boyfriend lost his life. She lived, but the pain has become unbearable. The singer decides to contact her dealer, Lewis, who has just survived an ordeal of his own. Now, Skye has contracted the “virus” that causes her to be the target of a horrific entity that shows everyone smiling…and killing. As she tries to escape this inexplicable ghoul, the lines between reality and nightmare begins to blur and will only stop if she…well, we won’t spoil that.
Making good use of the film’s success in theaters, marketing executives at Paramount Pictures have decided to launch what’s undeniably one of the most fun marketing moves in recent horror. You can watch the first seven minutes of Smile 2 for free. No subscriptions required, no credit cards asked, no ticket stubs need to be scanned. However, Paramount is asking for something in return. You just have to confirm that you’re not a minor and when the player opens and the movie begins, you have to smile and keep smiling for the whole seven minutes. If, at any time, the smile turns into a smirk and fades away, the player will stop and the free sample of Smile 2 ends. Now, get to the mirror and start practicing keeping a smile on your face for seven minutes. Unless you’re one of the victims of Smile 2’s evil entity, it will not be an easy task.
The Genius Marketing of the Smile Franchise
The first Smile movie made more than $217 million at the box office, proving Paramount Pictures’ decision to release theatrically was a good one. However, it also proved that their investment in marketing was successful. While the film cost $17 million to make, marketing costs reportedly grew to around $50 million. Paramount had that kind of faith in the project.
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The previews proved to be successful, of course. The hype was real, and horror fans recognized the potential of the film early. But it wasn’t until eerie footage taken at sporting events began to appear on the internet that people were intrigued. During several baseball games, random strangers began smiling maniacally at the camera from the crowd. They were not random seats, and a big chunk of that $50 million was likely spent on seats behind home plate. Nevertheless, it worked, and everyone quickly began asking about the movie being promoted on the t-shirts of the strangers smiling at the camera. And now, Paramount is continuing the genius marketing ideas, offering the sequel’s opening sequence for free if you can hold a smile.
About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.
- Release Date
- October 18, 2024
- Director
- Parker Finn
- Main Genre
- Horror