For the first time since 2014, Halloween falls on a Friday. And while that might thrill partygoers, insiders report it’s giving movie studios nightmares. The weekend box office is expected to look downright haunted, with few major new releases hitting theaters.
Analysts predict a steep drop in Friday attendance as audiences trade popcorn for costumes and parties. But business should bounce back slightly on Saturday as horror fans creep back into cinemas for a fright fix.
Among the handful of contenders is Universal and Blumhouse’s Black Phone 2, which is poised to scare up around $7 million this weekend. The spooky sequel currently stands at $51.4 million total through its second Tuesday, giving it a strong shot at maintaining the No. 1 spot.
Hot on its heels is Paramount’s Regretting You, a romantic drama based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel that’s connecting with female audiences. It’s also expected to gross around $7 million this weekend, with a five-day total just under $17 million.
Expansions and Re-Releases Fill the Void
With major studios steering clear of new debuts, a few specialty titles are expanding to fill the void. Focus Features’ Bugonia from director Yorgos Lanthimos is jumping from 17 theaters to 1,800 in its second weekend. Riding high on a 90% Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score and 81% audience approval, it’s projected to earn $4 million-plus, a record for the acclaimed filmmaker.
Meanwhile, Netflix is resurrecting Kpop Demon Hunters . The animated phenomenon previously made headlines as the streamer’s first No. 1 theatrical title with $19 million during its late-August release. This weekend, it returns to 2,890 theaters, including 400 AMC locations worldwide, though industry insiders expect a more modest $6 million run, as most fans have already streamed the film.
Elsewhere, anime fans will see Sony/Crunchyroll’s Chainsaw Man drop sharply in its second weekend, down an estimated 65–70% from its debut. Fathom Events is also spooking up nostalgia with a double-feature re-release of Twilight: Breaking Dawn Parts 1 & 2, while Universal is sending audiences back in time with a re-release of Back to the Future across 1,900 theaters, including IMAX screens.
Still, for those looking for thrills, chills, and nostalgia, there’s plenty flickering on the big screen, from vampires to time travelers to cursed phone calls.
In keeping with the spirit of things, Heather Brooker joins Gary and Shannon for the weekly entertainment segment to count down the top horror movies of all time. Listen to see if your fave made the list.
Recent Comments