“Black Phone 2” has debuted strongly at the box office, generating a total of $42 million globally during its opening weekend. This sequel, produced by Universal and Blumhouse, has seen impressive ticket sales, particularly in the United States and Canada, where it earned $26.5 million. Additionally, it brought in $15.5 million from 71 international markets.
Box Office Breakdown
The success of “Black Phone 2” was bolstered by significant earnings from key international territories:
- Mexico: $4.3 million
- United Kingdom and Ireland: $1.4 million
- Brazil: $1.2 million
Directed by Scott Derrickson, the film continues the chilling saga of the psychotic serial killer known as the Grabber, portrayed by Ethan Hawke. This sequel’s initial earnings surpassed those of its predecessor, which had launched in 2022 with $35.8 million globally and $13 million overseas.
Production and Financial Aspects
The first “Black Phone” was produced at a budget of $18 million, ultimately earning $161 million worldwide. In contrast, “Black Phone 2” has a larger production budget of $30 million but is on a path to cover its costs effectively. To achieve a significant return, the film needs to maintain audience interest beyond its opening weekend.
Challenges for Blumhouse
Despite the encouraging start for “Black Phone 2,” Blumhouse faces several hurdles. The studio has experienced a series of failures in 2025 with films like “Wolf Man” and “M3GAN 2.0.” Another sequel, “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,” is slated for release in December.
Disney’s “Tron: Ares” Performance
In a contrasting development, Disney’s sci-fi sequel “Tron: Ares” earned $14.1 million across 52 international markets. After two weekends of release, “Tron: Ares” has garnered $48.4 million from overseas and reached a global total of $103 million. However, its hefty production budget of $180 million and substantial promotional costs indicate it may face financial challenges ahead.
Additional Box Office Highlights
Another film, “One Battle After Another,” directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, collected $11.8 million internationally. This film has been successful, accumulating $100 million in foreign markets and $162.5 million globally. Despite its strong performance, it too may struggle to break even due to high production costs exceeding $130 million alongside $70 million in promotional expenses.
