Black Phone 2: A Box Office Sensation
"Black Phone 2" has emerged as the top-grossing film in North America, raking in an estimated $26.5 million in ticket sales. The horror sequel, a follow-up to the original "Black Phone," surpassed expectations and marked a significant success for Blumhouse, following a series of underperforming releases this year. Despite a slower October moviegoing trend, the overall box office remains slightly up from last year, with hopes for a potential blockbuster boost in late November or December.
Released by Universal Pictures, "Black Phone 2" opened in 3,411 theaters in North America to positive reviews. The return of director Scott Derrickson and stars Ethan Hawke and Mason Thames contributed to its success. The film attracted a predominantly young audience, with 63% between the ages of 18 and 34, and Hispanics comprising the largest demographic at 39% of ticket buyers, followed by Caucasians at 35%.
With an additional $15.5 million from international markets, "Black Phone 2" achieved a worldwide launch of $42 million against a reported $30 million production budget. Universal's domestic distribution head, Jim Orr, praised the film's haunting and chilling narrative crafted by Derrickson and Blumhouse, emphasizing the audience's enthusiastic response to the sequel.
The horror genre has seen remarkable success in 2025, with films like "Weapons" and "Sinners" contributing over $1.2 billion to the industry. Despite a variety of new releases this weekend, "Black Phone 2" stood out as the top performer, overshadowing titles like "Good Fortune" and "After the Hunt." The upcoming weeks promise more awards-hopeful films, including "Bugonia" and "Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere," catering to a diverse movie audience.
As the box office landscape continues to evolve, "Black Phone 2" has set a strong precedent for horror films and reaffirmed Blumhouse's position in the genre. With its successful debut and positive reception, the sequel has solidified its place as a standout performer in the current cinematic landscape.