“Black Phone 2” Dials Up $10.7 Million, Leads Quiet Box Office Weekend
Horror sequel “Black Phone 2” is projected to take the top spot at the North American box office this weekend, earning $10.7 million across Friday and preview screenings, while several other releases are facing a challenging theatrical run.
Universal is releasing “Black Phone 2” in 3,411 locations, anticipating a three-day total of $24.4 million, slightly exceeding the original “Black Phone’s” $23.6 million debut in 2022. The film, starring Ethan Hawke reprising his role as the Grabber, also benefited from securing premium large format auditoriums previously held by “Tron: Ares.” Blumhouse, the production company behind the film, is hoping for a box office boost after a disappointing year for its other releases, including “Wolf Man” and “M3GAN 2.0.”
In contrast, Aziz Ansari’s comedy “Good Fortune,” featuring a cast including Keanu Reeves and Sandra Oh, is underperforming with an estimated $5.9 million opening from 2,985 locations. Despite positive reviews and a “B+” grade from audience survey firm CinemaScore, the film highlights the difficulties of launching original R-rated comedies in theaters. Disney’s “Tron: Ares” saw a significant 65% drop in its second weekend, projecting $11 million, and is unlikely to recoup its $180 million production budget. For more on box office trends, see Box Office Mojo.
Other releases include Warner Bros.’ “One Battle After Another,” currently expected to earn around $59 million domestically despite a $130 million+ production budget, and Angel Studios’ WWII thriller “Truth & Treason,” which received an “A” grade from CinemaScore. Amazon MGM’s expansion of “After the Hunt” is also underway, though the film has been met with negative reviews and a “C-” grade from audiences. The success of “Black Phone 2” is crucial as the horror genre often provides a reliable revenue stream during the fall season, and a strong performance could influence studio strategies for future releases, as detailed by The Wrap.
Officials at Blumhouse will be closely monitoring “Black Phone 2’s” staying power in theaters, hoping for a similar multiplier to the first film, which grossed $90 million domestically.
