Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions launched Black Phone 2 with a $26.5 million opening weekend across 3,411 North American theaters. This surpasses the original film’s $23.6 million launch in 2022, reflecting solid audience interest during the October Halloween season.[1][4][11]
Detailed Daily Earnings Illustrate Audience Engagement
The weekend box office spread was:
- Friday: Approximately $11 million
- Saturday: $9.57 million
- Sunday: $5.88 million
This typical weekend decline pattern indicates sustained attendance supporting the film’s momentum.[2][1]
International Markets Led by Mexico with $4.3 Million
Internationally, the film gathered $15.5 million from 71 markets with Mexico leading at $4.3 million, followed by the U.K. and Ireland ($1.48 million) and Brazil ($1.16 million). Further detailed breakdowns show European and Latin American contributions but full extensive global data remains limited.[10][11][12]
Audience Composition and Critical Reception
Key audience demographics included:
- Ages 18-34: 63%
- Latinos: 39%
- Caucasians: 35%
- African Americans: 15%
- Native American/Other: 6%
- Asians: 5%
Critically, the film holds a 74% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an 85% audience score and a B CinemaScore. These metrics show a generally positive if slightly tempered reception compared to the original’s B+ CinemaScore.[4][9]
Comparative Film Performance Highlights its Market Position
“Black Phone 2” outperformed competition during its debut weekend including:
- Tron: Ares: $11.1 million second weekend (66% drop)
- Good Fortune: $6.2 million opening
- After the Hunt: Underperformed with $1.5 million
This was driven partly by the relative absence of horror competitors and the strong Halloween thematic appeal.[3][7][2][4]
Some international box office territories’ detailed earnings and full budget allocation figures for Black Phone 2 are not publicly available at this time. This may limit a complete assessment of the film’s worldwide financial performance.
Budget and Profitability Context for Financial Understanding
The sequel’s $30 million budget, up significantly from the original’s $18 million, allowed for higher production values and the return of Ethan Hawke. Studio-to-theater revenue splits suggest cautious profitability, dependent on sustained box office and ancillary markets such as streaming and home media sales.[8][12][4]
Challenges and Opportunities for Box Office Longevity
- The October 2025 box office is tracking 11% behind last year and 20% below pre-pandemic levels, presenting a subdued market environment.[1]
- Competition in late October and November, coupled with mixed audience reactions (CinemaScore B), will influence the film’s momentum.
- Blumhouse has other horror titles planned, potentially capitalizing on the genre’s seasonal strength.[1]
