The horror sequel "Black Phone 2" debuted at the top of the North American box office this weekend, generating $26.5 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates. This performance not only exceeded the original film's opening of $23.6 million but also marked a needed success for Blumhouse Productions, which has faced several less favorable releases this year, including "M3GAN 2.0."
Despite this win for "Black Phone 2," the overall moviegoing experience in October has been relatively slow, with attendance down approximately 11% compared to last year, as reported by Comscore. While the total box office is up about 4% year-over-year, industry experts suggest a major blockbuster may be required to revitalize momentum, anticipated later this year.
Released by Universal Pictures in 3,411 theaters, "Black Phone 2" received positive reviews and attracted a predominantly young audience, with the largest demographic being Hispanic ticket buyers at 39%. The film also earned $15.5 million from 71 international markets, bringing its global total to $42 million against a production budget of $30 million.
In contrast, other new releases, such as the comedy "Good Fortune" and the drama "After the Hunt," underperformed, with "Good Fortune" opening in third place at $6.2 million. "Tron: Ares" dropped 67% in its second weekend, earning $11.1 million, while the horror genre continues to show strength overall, contributing significantly to this year's box office figures.
As the industry heads into awards season, next weekend will see the release of several anticipated films, including Yorgos Lanthimos's "Bugonia" and a Bruce Springsteen biopic, potentially shifting the box office landscape further.