In a triumphant return, “Black Phone 2” has seized the top spot at the North American box office with an estimated $26.5 million, signaling a crucial resurgence for horror powerhouse Blumhouse and reaffirming the genre’s enduring appeal.
The horror sequel “Black Phone 2” has officially dominated the North American box office, securing the No. 1 spot with an impressive $26.5 million in its opening weekend. This chilling return to the big screen not only surpassed the original film’s debut of $23.6 million but also provided a much-needed triumph for Blumhouse after a challenging year, as reported by the Associated Press.
For fans of the horror genre and the distinctive style of Blumhouse Productions, this opening is more than just numbers; it’s a reaffirmation of a winning formula. The success of “Black Phone 2” arrives at a critical juncture, boosting spirits within the production company and setting a positive tone for its upcoming releases.
A Chilling Triumph for Blumhouse
“Black Phone 2” launched with an estimated $26.5 million domestically and an additional $15.5 million from 71 international territories, bringing its worldwide opening total to a robust $42 million against a reported $30 million production budget. This strong performance marks a significant victory for Universal Pictures and Blumhouse, particularly after a string of recent disappointments, including “M3GAN 2.0,” “Wolf Man,” and “The Woman in the Yard.” The original “Black Phone,” released in 2021, emerged as a sleeper hit, earning over $161 million worldwide against a modest $18 million budget as cinemas began to recover from COVID shutdowns, a context that elevates the sequel’s achievement even further, according to the Associated Press.
Jim Orr, head of Universal’s domestic distribution, lauded the film’s debut. “It’s a fantastic opening,” Orr stated, emphasizing the collaborative success. “Our great partners in Scott Derrickson and Blumhouse once again took this property and crafted an unbelievably haunting, chilling story that audiences just simply couldn’t get enough of.” This quote highlights the creative synergy behind the franchise’s enduring appeal.
Looking ahead, Blumhouse aims to continue this positive momentum with a highly anticipated “Five Nights at Freddy’s” sequel slated for December. The first installment of “Five Nights at Freddy’s” amassed nearly $300 million worldwide, demonstrating Blumhouse’s capacity to deliver massive hits that resonate with diverse audiences.
The Filmmaking Vision: Derrickson, Hawke, and Thames Return
Universal Pictures released “Black Phone 2” across 3,411 theaters in North America, bolstered by a wave of positive reviews. The sequel, arriving four years after its predecessor, reunites the original creative team, with filmmaker Scott Derrickson back at the helm and stars Ethan Hawke and Mason Thames reprising their pivotal roles. This continuity was undoubtedly a major draw for fans who appreciated the atmospheric terror and strong performances of the first film.
Audience engagement metrics reveal a clear demographic appeal: exit polls indicated that 63% of opening weekend audiences were between the ages of 18 and 34. Furthermore, the film saw significant support from Hispanic moviegoers, who constituted 39% of ticket buyers, while Caucasians accounted for 35%. These figures provide valuable insight into the evolving horror audience, showcasing the genre’s broad appeal. Ethan Hawke’s return as The Grabber was a particular highlight for many, cementing his status as a formidable presence in the horror landscape, as noted in reports by the Associated Press.
October Box Office Trends and the Broader Horror Boom
While “Black Phone 2” provided a much-needed boost, the broader landscape of moviegoing in October continues to be slow, down approximately 11% from last year, according to Comscore. Despite this seasonal dip, the overall box office for the year is still up about 4% compared to the previous year, though a major blockbuster hit to ignite further momentum might not appear until late November or December.
Interestingly, the horror genre itself has defied these trends, soaring to record-breaking heights in 2025. With hits such as “Weapons” and the multi-genre success “Sinners,” the industry has generated over $1.2 billion, highlighted by Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore’s head of marketplace trends. Dergarabedian characterized October as “a quintessential October for movies, meaning this is not a hotbed of box office blockbusters. But the marketplace is flush with titles. This is awards season; this is where you have a lot of auteur driven films, edgier films. Collectively these don’t generate a ton of box office, but there’s the currency of goodwill created with movie fans.”
Beyond the Black Phone: Other Contenders and Future Releases
“Black Phone 2” was the sole film to truly break through this weekend, amidst a diverse selection of wide releases. The R-rated comedy “Good Fortune,” starring Seth Rogen, Aziz Ansari, and Keanu Reeves, opened to $6.2 million from 2,990 locations, landing in third place. Despite mostly positive reviews and a B+ CinemaScore, it struggled to generate significant opening enthusiasm. In contrast, the Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield drama “After the Hunt” expanded to 1,238 theaters, making $1.6 million but receiving a poor C- CinemaScore. Also, Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” debuted in theaters, though Netflix does not report its box office grosses.
In its second weekend, “Tron: Ares” experienced a significant drop of about 67%, earning $11.1 million and securing second place on the charts. Globally, “Tron: Ares” has now accumulated $103 million.
As the box office calendar progresses, audiences can anticipate a new slate of awards-hopefuls next weekend. These include Yorgos Lanthimos’s latest collaboration with Emma Stone, “Bugonia,” and the Bruce Springsteen biopic “Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere,” featuring Jeremy Allen White of “The Bear” fame.
Top 10 Movies by Domestic Box Office (Estimated)
According to Comscore, here are the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters:
- “Black Phone 2,” $26.5 million.
- “Tron: Ares,” $11.1 million.
- “Good Fortune,” $6.2 million.
- “One Battle After Another,” $4 million.
- “Roof Man,” $3.7 million.
- “Truth & Treason,” $2.7 million.
- “Gabby’s Dollhouse,” $1.7 million.
- “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” $1.6 million.
- “After the Hunt,” $1.6 million.
- “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle,” $1.3 million.
