'Black Phone 2' wins North America box office
The horror sequel Black Phone 2, featuring Ethan Hawke, topped the North American box office this weekend, grossing an estimated $26.5 million, according to industry reports. As the Halloween season approaches, the film’s strong performance highlights audiences’ appetite for chilling entertainment. Produced by Universal and Blumhouse, a studio known for low-budget horror hits, Black Phone 2 has received high praise from both critics and moviegoers. Analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research called it “an excellent opening for the second episode in a horror series.”
Following in second place was Disney’s sci-fi action film Tron: Ares, which earned $11.1 million in its second week. Despite a lukewarm debut, the film stars Jared Leto, Greta Lee, and Evan Peters, and explores humanity’s first encounter with artificial intelligence in the real world. Reports suggest the movie had a production budget of around $180 million, with experts noting the steep financial risk behind its ambitious visual effects and storytelling.
In third place, comedian Aziz Ansari made his directorial debut with the body-swap comedy Good Fortune, which opened to $6.2 million. The Lionsgate release features a star-studded cast including Seth Rogen, Keanu Reeves, and Ansari himself, offering audiences a humorous twist on the classic “walk in someone else’s shoes” premise.
Paul Thomas Anderson’s action thriller One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, landed in fourth place with $4 million. DiCaprio portrays a former far-left revolutionary drawn back into danger to save his daughter, while Penn plays a ruthless military adversary, creating a tense dynamic that drives the film’s high-stakes narrative.
Channing Tatum’s latest project, Roofman, rounded out the top five with $3.7 million. The movie, inspired by a true story, follows a former soldier turned thief who escapes prison and hides out in a toy store, blending action and human drama.
The rest of the top ten included a mix of new releases and holdovers: Truth & Treason earned $2.7 million, Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie brought in $1.7 million, The Conjuring: Last Rites collected $1.6 million, and After the Hunt grossed $1.56 million. The weekend’s box office also saw a tie with Soul on Fire and Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, each taking in $1.3 million.
With Black Phone 2 leading the way, the fall movie season is proving once again that horror films remain a reliable draw for audiences seeking thrills as Halloween nears.
