Blumhouse has long stood as a force in horror, but its recent box-office run has tested the studio’s momentum. With Black Phone 2 arriving, the company hopes a strong debut can reset perceptions and betting markets.
Aiming for a strong opening
Industry chatter pins the domestic launch in the low to mid-20s, with a possible push into the high twenties. If that holds, it would be Blumhouse’s top opening of the year and their strongest start since Five Nights at Freddy’s opened to about $80 million in 2023, later climbing to $297 million worldwide.
The original Black Phone, released in 2022, started with around $23.6 million and finished with roughly $161 million globally on an $18 million budget; overseas helped push the total past $70 million. The sequel reintroduces Finn (Mason Thames), now 17, who is grappling with the remnants of his captivity, while Gwen (Madeleine McGraw) starts hearing calls from the black phone. Their plan to confront the Alpine Lake mystery is interrupted by a brutal storm, and The Grabber (Ethan Hawke) returns for a confrontation that could raise the horror bar. Trailers suggest a grimmer, more aggressive antagonist, hinting at a Freddy Krueger vibe.
Pressure meets reluctant optimism
Pressure has built since Blumhouse’s 2024–25 run, marked by a string of underperformers that tempered expectations for future hits. The recent stumble of M3GAN 2.0 amplified the challenge, underscoring why Black Phone 2 carries significant weight for the studio. A solid showing could help restore momentum and confidence.
Director Scott Derrickson returns and teams with C. Robert Cargill on an original story that extends Joe Hill’s source material. Early reviews have leaned positive; /Film’s Rafael Motamayor called the sequel a “fantastic” follow-up that expands the experience. With Halloween season unspooling, the movie has a favorable perch to draw audiences back to theaters.
Blumhouse’s Black Phone 2 lands in theaters on October 17, 2025.
Source: Original article
