After years of box office struggles, Blumhouse has finally scored a much-needed win with Black Phone 2, which dominated the October 17 weekend with an impressive $26.5 million domestic debut and $42 million globally. The supernatural horror sequel, directed by Scott Derrickson, surpassed the 2022 original's $23.6 million opening and delivered precisely what fans craved: Ethan Hawke's chilling return as The Grabber alongside Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw.
Director Scott Derrickson revealed his initial hesitation about creating a sequel, telling interviewers he maintains a career mantra of making every film "as though it's the last film I'll ever get to make". However, when he developed a story concept that genuinely excited him, he committed fully to the project. The film explores trauma, healing, and hope through a horror lens, with Derrickson explaining, "Both of these movies are horror films that are really told from the point of view of love".
Critics have responded positively, awarding Black Phone 2 a 74% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus praising how the sequel "takes the consequences of its predecessor seriously". Audiences delivered an 85% score and a "B" CinemaScore—respectable for the horror genre. The film's diverse appeal is evident in its demographics, with Hispanic audiences representing 39% of ticket buyers, followed by Caucasian viewers at 35%.
Internationally, the sequel opened ahead of both the original Black Phone and other recent horror releases across 72 territories, with Mexico leading at $4.3 million, followed by the UK and Ireland at $1.5 million. The $30 million production has already proven profitable within its opening weekend.
For Blumhouse, this represents their first major success since 2023's Five Nights at Freddy's, which earned $137 million domestically. With minimal horror competition through November, Black Phone 2 is positioned to continue its strong theatrical run and restore confidence in the studio's franchise-building strategy.
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