Blumhouse and Universal’s anticipated horror sequel, Black Phone 2, has kicked off its theatrical run with a chilling $2.6 million from Thursday preview screenings. This initial figure, generated from 2,900 theaters offering showtimes from 2 p.m. onwards, offers a crucial glimpse into the film’s potential box office trajectory. As the industry watches closely, this horror entry aims to deliver a much-needed boost for Blumhouse and provide a robust opening in a challenging autumn box office landscape.
Black Phone 2’s Strong Initial Scream: Preview Performance Unpacked
The $2.6 million preview haul for Black Phone 2 positions it as a significant contender, though it falls just shy of the original 2021 film’s $3 million preview take. That first installment ultimately scared up an impressive $23.6 million in its opening weekend, becoming a sleeper hit with over $161 million worldwide. For the sequel, industry projections are optimistic, forecasting a domestic debut between $20 million and $30 million, with some analysts even suggesting an easy surpass of $20 million, and others a slightly more conservative $18 million to $29 million.
This performance aligns closely with other successful horror releases, notably Paramount’s Smile 2, which opened on the same weekend a year prior. Smile 2 earned $2.5 million in previews before a $23 million three-day opening. Such comparisons highlight Black Phone 2‘s competitive edge within the genre, setting the stage for a potentially strong showing.
Critical Reception and Creative Direction
Director Scott Derrickson, who also co-wrote the screenplay with C. Robert Cargill, has promised audiences “more intensity & more gore” and a “different tone” for the sequel. Critical reviews have largely been solid, with Black Phone 2 currently holding a 74% certified fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While slightly below the original’s 81% RT score and B+ CinemaScore, this positive critical reception could still fuel audience interest.
The narrative of Black Phone 2 unfolds four years after the terrifying events of the first film. A now 17-year-old Finn (Mason Thames) is still grappling with his past trauma. However, the terror now largely focuses on his 15-year-old sister, Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), who experiences haunting dreams. These visions include calls from their deceased mother and disturbing sights of abducted boys found under ice floes at a Colorado Christian camp called Alpine Lake.
Finn initially dismisses Gwen’s experiences. Yet, as evidence mounts, he, Gwen, and their friend Ernesto (Miguel Mora) embark on a journey to Alpine Lake amidst a severe winter storm. They seek to uncover the chilling truth. Ethan Hawke returns as the menacing villain, The Grabber, whose presence is no longer confined to a suburban house. Instead, he’s depicted as being “out there in the real world,” even interacting “from beyond the grave.” This narrative shift, drawing inspiration from classic horror franchises, aims to deepen the psychological horror aspect. The film, praised for its deliberate pacing and atmospheric Super 8 visuals, carries a net production cost of $30 million.
Blumhouse’s Crucial Moment and the Broader Box Office Landscape
Black Phone 2 arrives at a pivotal time for Blumhouse Productions. The studio has faced a “less-than-stellar” period in a horror-heavy box office year, struggling with a series of disappointments. These include the “pricey flop” of M3GAN 2.0 earlier in the year, alongside other underperformers like Wolf Man, The Woman in the Yard, and Drop. A robust opening for Black Phone 2 is therefore seen as a “crucial turning point,” potentially reversing recent trends and providing a much-needed win.
Beyond the horror genre, the broader autumn box office is currently characterized by a state of “doldrums.” ComScore data reveals the season from Labor Day through the preceding Sunday remained flat year-over-year, totaling $770.7 million. A prevailing sentiment within the industry is a desire for films to finally meet their tracking forecasts.
Recent Box Office Struggles and Surprises
One notable disappointment is Disney’s Tron: Ares. The $180 million production concluded its first week with $43.4 million—a figure many had hoped it would achieve on its opening weekend alone. Tron: Ares is pacing slightly behind 2017’s Blade Runner 2049 ($45.4 million first week), another sci-fi property with a dedicated but finite fan base. With a B+ CinemaScore, Tron: Ares is anticipated to see a steeper 60% drop in its second weekend, compared to Blade Runner 2049‘s 53% decline. Despite this, it is expected to retain its IMAX and premium large format (PLF) screens.
The performance of “sophisticated adult movies” has also seen a “free-fall.” An exception to this trend is Warner Bros.’s One Battle After Another, which has performed better than many of its peers. It nears $58 million in cumulative gross after three weeks, outperforming titles like Roofman, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, and Caught Stealing.
Lionsgate’s “Good Fortune” and Current Top Films
Amidst these varied box office narratives, Lionsgate introduced its new comedy, Good Fortune. Directed by and starring Aziz Ansari, alongside Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogen, the film is expected to gross under $10 million from 2,985 locations. With a net production cost of $30 million, similar to Black Phone 2, Good Fortune faced production delays due to the writers and actors strikes. Despite a respectable 79% fresh rating from its TIFF world premiere, its preview screenings generated $725,000 at 2,990 sites. This trails behind Roofman, which took in $1 million in previews before achieving an $8 million opening.
Here’s a snapshot of the top five films for the week, based on Thursday’s performance:
Tron Ares (Disney): $1.5 million (Thursday), $43.4 million (Week 1 Total) from 4,000 theaters.
Roofman (Paramount): $567,000 (Thursday), $11.8 million (Week 1 Total) from 3,362 theaters.
One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.): $545,000 (Thursday), $10.1 million (Current Week), $57.9 million (Total after 3 weeks) from 3,127 theaters.
Gabby’s Dollhouse (Universal): $192,000 (Thursday), $5.2 million (Current Week), $28.2 million (Total after 3 weeks) from 3,049 theaters.
Conjuring: Last Rites (NL/Warner Bros.): $195,000 (Thursday), $4.36 million (Current Week), $173.8 million (Total after 6 weeks) from 2,334 theaters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Black Phone 2’s preview box office numbers, and how do they compare to the original?
Black Phone 2 generated $2.6 million from Thursday preview screenings, starting at 2 p.m. in 2,900 theaters. This figure is slightly less than the original 2021 Black Phone movie, which pulled in $3 million during its previews. The original film then went on to secure a $23.6 million opening weekend, indicating that while the sequel’s previews are a strong start, they suggest a similar or slightly lower opening weekend compared to its predecessor. Industry projections anticipate Black Phone 2 could open between $20 million and $30 million.
How does Black Phone 2’s early performance stack up against other recent horror sequels?
The $2.6 million preview performance for Black Phone 2 is closely aligned with Paramount’s Smile 2, which opened on the same weekend a year ago. Smile 2 earned $2.5 million in previews and subsequently achieved a $23 million three-day opening. This comparison suggests Black Phone 2 is performing in line with successful modern horror sequels, positioning it well within the genre’s expected opening range for a highly anticipated follow-up.
What is the significance of Black Phone 2’s box office for Blumhouse Productions?
Black Phone 2 represents a crucial film for Blumhouse, a studio that has faced a challenging period in a horror-heavy box office year. Following recent disappointments, including the “pricey flop” of M3GAN 2.0 and other underperforming titles, Black Phone 2 is hoped to provide a significant boost and reverse recent trends. A robust opening for the Scott Derrickson-directed sequel could reaffirm Blumhouse’s standing as a horror powerhouse and offer a much-needed win for the studio.
Conclusion
The early box office figures for Black Phone 2 paint a promising picture for Blumhouse and Universal, signaling that the horror sequel is poised for a strong opening weekend. While the overall autumn box office has been described as being in a “doldrums” state, the film’s preview performance demonstrates continued audience appetite for compelling horror narratives. As the industry grapples with shifting viewing habits and varied film performances, Black Phone 2* could emerge as a critical success, offering a much-needed jolt of energy to the fall movie season and setting the stage for more terrifying tales from The Grabber.
References
- deadline.com
- ca.news.yahoo.com
- <a href="https://www.imdb.com/news/ni65527449/?ref=nwcart_perm”>www.imdb.com
- deadline.com
- <a href="https://m.imdb.com/es-es/news/ni65527165/?ref=nwcart_perm”>m.imdb.com
