Supernatural Horror Slasher “Black Phone 2” Attacks Weekend Box Office

With Halloween right around the corner, Black Phone 2 is ready to offer audiences a fun, scary time at theatres. The sequel to Black Phone (2022) managed to debut atop the weekend box office and is looking to make enough bank to keep the franchise going.

As someone who enjoyed The Black Phone, I was quite curious about how Scott Derrickson would make a sequel with the OG cast. In a way, the first movie didn’t need a sequel, but because it made almost $161 million globally against a reported production budget in the $16 million to $18 million range, a second chapter was inevitable. Of course, being aware of Hollywood’s track record with making sequels of certain movies to profit from, the fans of The Black Phone were understandably cautious when Black Phone 2 was announced.

However, having watched Black Phone 2, I have to say that Derrickson and his creative team managed to pull it off. Not only is Black Phone 2 an enjoyable sequel that builds on the events of the OG, but it also takes the franchise in a direction that leaves the door open for a third installment due to pivoting to full-on supernatural retro slasher horror.

Black Phone 2 debuted at the top of the weekend box office with an approximate $26.5 million against a reported production budget of $30 million. As of writing this, the movie has made almost $42 million worldwide. That number is going to keep rising, especially due to the film being the only major (well-written) release for Halloween this year. It has an 84% Audience and 74% Critic Score over at Rotten Tomatoes, boding well for the film’s box office longevity.

I enjoyed that the movie was able to give Gwen more to do in the sequel while maintaining Finney’s emotional arc from the predecessor. It also has some nice gore-filled moments. Having said that, I do feel that the dreamscape or astral plane lore could have been developed better.

Directed by Derrickson, who co-wrote the screenplay with C. Robert Cargill, the cast includes Mason Thames (How to Train Your Dragon), Madeleine McGraw, Demián Bichir, Miguel Mora, and Ethan Hawke.

You can watch my review of Black Phone 2 below.

As for the rest of the Top 10, TRON Ares fell 66% to collect an estimated $11.1 million and secure second place. The movie has managed to make almost $103 million globally. But against a reported production budget of $180 million, the Jared Leto-starrer is a flop and yet another low point for Disney this year.

I enjoyed TRON Ares for what it was. But I can understand why it didn’t resonate with a wide enough audience. It will be interesting to see how the House of Mouse will try to keep the long-running franchise alive.

In third place, we have Good Fortune with an approximate $6.2 million at the box office and a reported production budget of $30 million. It’s a supernatural comedy starring Seth Rogen, Aziz Ansari, Keke Palmer, Sandra Oh, and Keanu Reeves. Aziz also directed and wrote the project. I’ve heard that it’s more bleak than comedic. So, I might not watch it at all when it hits home release down the line. Time will tell.

October 17 – October 19, 2025 Weekend Box Office

1. Black Phone 2 – $26.5 million
2. TRON Ares – $11.1 million
3. Good Fortune – $6.2 million
4. One Battle After Another – $4 million
5. Roofman – $3.7 million
6. Truth and Treason – $2.7 million
7. Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie – $1.6 million
8. The Conjuring: Last Rites – $1.5 million
9. After the Hunt – $1.5 million
10. Soul on Fire – $1.3 million

For those wondering, anime movie Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Movie – Infinity Castle was in 11th place this weekend, with another estimated $1.3 million from North American markets. With a reported production budget of $20 million, it currently stands at $659 globally, a true hit!

Did you watch Black Phone 2? What did you think of it?

Let us know.

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(via Box Office Mojo)

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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