The 2025 horror sequel Black Phone 2 is turning heads with its strong box office debut, outgrossing competing releases during its opening weekend.
Projected to earn $26.5 million domestically over three days, this Blumhouse Productions film has surpassed the original’s $23.6 million opening and become the studio’s highest-grossing release of the year.
Collecting an additional $15.5 million internationally, it has already amassed over $42 million worldwide within its first weekend.
This success marks a welcome rebound for Blumhouse, which had several less profitable releases throughout 2025, including Wolf Man and M3GAN 2.0.
Black Phone 2’s gripping narrative continues the story from the 2022 hit, bringing back Ethan Hawke as the chilling “Grabber” along with returning stars Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw.
The original movie was a breakout horror success, grossing more than $161 million worldwide on a modest $16 million budget, and the sequel is on track to exceed that legacy.
Despite nearly doubling the budget to an estimated $30 million, Black Phone 2 shows strong potential to more than quintuple its costs by the end of its theatrical run. If the momentum holds, it could firmly establish a major Blumhouse franchise, possibly paving the way for future sequels.
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The combination of returning key cast members, a compelling storyline, and the strategic timing during the Halloween season appears to have struck a chord with horror fans and casual moviegoers alike.
Good Fortune’s Modest Start Despite High Expectations
In contrast, Good Fortune, the feature directorial debut of Aziz Ansari and a Lionsgate comedy starring Keanu Reeves alongside Ansari and Seth Rogen, opened to a more muted response with an estimated $6.2 million domestic box office.
Though debuting at number three on the weekend chart, its earnings fell significantly behind Black Phone 2.
Good Fortune follows the story of Gabriel (Reeves), a well-meaning but clumsy guardian angel who switches the lives of a poor assistant and his wealthy boss, played by Ansari and Rogen. The film was made with a $30 million budget, mirroring the sequel’s production costs, but has yet to show similar box office promise.
Critically, Good Fortune has been well received, earning a Certified Fresh score of 77% on Rotten Tomatoes and a solid CinemaScore of B+. These scores indicate good word-of-mouth potential, suggesting the movie may find an audience as more viewers discover it through recommendations.
Still, unlike Black Phone 2, its commercial success may rely heavily on digital streaming and video-on-demand platforms if in-theater attendance fails to pick up significantly.
October’s Domestic Box Office Highlights
The weekend’s top box office rankings clearly illustrate the horror sequel’s dominance. Black Phone 2 sits at the number one spot with $26.5 million, followed by Disney’s sci-fi sequel Tron: Ares with $11.14 million, a steep 66% drop from the prior weekend’s debut, marking the worst sophomore slump among the three Tron films.
Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune holds third place with $6.2 million, while One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, comes in fourth with $4 million. Rounding out the top five is Roofman, the Channing Tatum-led drama, with $3.7 million.
Last weekend’s chart-toppers, Roofman and One Battle After Another, both fell significantly this week, dropping three and one spots respectively, with declines of over 50% in ticket sales.
Family-friendly Gabby’s Dollhouse and faith-based Soul on Fire slid even further, landing at ninth and tenth places. Meanwhile, fresh entries like Truth & Treason and After the Hunt are gradually gaining traction.
October, despite a busy schedule, has yet to crown a clear runaway hit beyond the Black Phone sequel.
However, with promising upcoming releases like the Colleen Hoover romantic drama Regretting You and the Bruce Springsteen biopic Deliver Me From Nowhere, there remains potential for new challengers to emerge before the month closes.
What This Means for Blumhouse and Horror Fans
Black Phone 2’s breakout weekend signals a strong comeback moment for Blumhouse Productions after a challenging slate of 2025 releases. Known for payday hits like The Purge and Insidious, the studio has faced headwinds this year with multiple projects failing to reach profitability or connect widely with audiences.
The latest sequel’s immediate success, both domestically and globally, offers hope that the studio can reclaim its status as a leader in the horror genre.
The film’s ability to build on the momentum and reputation of the original Black Phone, which blended supernatural elements with genuine emotional weight, reflects careful production choices paying off.
Featuring Ethan Hawke’s return and the fresh faces of Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw, the sequel offers continuity while expanding the franchise’s mythology.
With the Halloween season fueling audience interest in horror, Black Phone 2 benefited from well-timed marketing and strong critical notice, which together translated to impressive box office numbers.
If this trajectory continues, the sequel could eventually outgross the original, firmly establishing itself as Blumhouse’s breakout success of the year.
The Road Ahead for Good Fortune
While Good Fortune’s box office debut has been underwhelming compared to Black Phone 2, its positive reviews and solid audience scores leave room for optimism.
Comedy films with critical support often gain momentum over time as viewers discover them through recommendations, especially with digital and streaming release strategies becoming more influential.
Aziz Ansari’s transition from comedy performer to director may also attract interest as his career develops, potentially expanding the film’s audience beyond the initial theatrical performance.
With popular stars like Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogen on board, the film has star power and comedic chemistry, which can build a dedicated following in secondary markets.
Regardless of box office struggles, Good Fortune could still become a sleeper hit through varied distribution channels, garnering long-term financial success.
However, with its initial numbers trailing far behind a genre powerhouse like Black Phone 2, the comedy faces an uphill climb to match the threat from Blumhouse’s intimidating horror presence.
Box Office Summary Table
| Rank | Title | 3-Day Total (Domestic) | Cumulative Domestic Total (Week) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black Phone 2 | $26.5 million | $26.5 million (Week 1) |
| 2 | Tron: Ares | $11.14 million | $54.4 million (Week 2) |
| 3 | Good Fortune | $6.2 million | $6.2 million (Week 1) |
| 4 | One Battle After Another | $4 million | $61 million (Week 4) |
| 5 | Roofman | $3.7 million | $15.5 million (Week 2) |
This weekend’s box office clearly illustrates Black Phone 2’s strong genre appeal and financial promise, outpacing Good Fortune and reinvigorating Blumhouse’s forecast for 2025. October may yet see more contenders, but the current champion’s reign seems secure.
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