Halloween weekend took a surprising turn for moviegoers as major studios opted not to launch new films, leading to a dismal performance at the domestic box office. The resulting top 10 list was as odd as it was underwhelming.
Interestingly, no film managed to cross the $10 million mark. By Sunday, Black Phone 2 and Regretting You were neck-and-neck for the top position, each raking in approximately $8 million in their respective third and second weeks. With Black Phone 2 being the only significant horror release during Halloween, it certainly nudges audiences towards home streaming instead of theater visits.
What Were the Highlights of the Weekend?
Aside from the dueling movies at the top, the list revealed more peculiarities. Three animated films claimed notable spots. Last weekend’s champion, Chainsaw Man: The Movie, landed at #3, while Netflix’s recent re-release of KPop Demon Hunters fell to #4. Despite grossing around $18 million in its initial release, this weekend it only managed just over $5 million at AMC Theaters, where it had a unique screening opportunity. Although decent for a film available for free at home, it still didn’t meet expectations.
At #9, we spotted Stitch Head, a lesser-known Briarcliffe Entertainment film. While many may not recognize the title, its gross of just over $2 million feels like a success for such a low-profile release.
How Did Other Films Perform?
The remainder of the top ten was filled with conventional Hollywood offerings. The highly-praised Bugonia debuted at #5 with just under $5 million. The Bruce Springsteen biopic Deliver Me From Nowhere ranked #7, while the Keanu Reeves and Seth Rogen comedy Good Fortune also captured #7. Meanwhile, another familiar title, Tron: Ares, continued to hang in with a spot in the top ten.
As for the tenth spot, it was taken by the re-release of the classic Back to the Future, which surprisingly grossed $4.7 million. When a 40-year-old film manages to earn over half the weekend’s top-grossing film, you know something’s amiss!
What Factors Contributed to This Outcome?
Multiple elements played a role in this unusual weekend. With Halloween falling on a Friday and significant sporting events drawing crowds away from theaters, the outcome seemed almost inevitable. This led to a record low box office weekend for 2025, marking one of the worst Octobers since 1997 (not factoring in 2020).
For perspective, last year around the same time, Venom 3 opened and grossed nearly $26 million in its second weekend, with other horror films like Smile 2 and Terrifier 3 still attracting fans. Clearly, theaters are eagerly awaiting the arrival of big titles like Predator: Badlands, The Running Man, and Wicked: For Good.
What movies were released in theaters during Halloween weekend? This year saw no major releases, leaving audiences with limited choices.
Can animated films perform well at the box office on Halloween weekend? This weekend showed that even animated films faced challenges, with significantly low earnings for re-releases.
How does this Halloween weekend’s box office compare to previous years? This year’s results are the lowest in decades, especially considering the success of previous Halloween weekends.
In conclusion, Halloween weekend proved to be an unexpected experience for movie enthusiasts. As the landscape shifts and audiences migrate towards streaming options, one can only hope the upcoming releases breathe new life into cinemas. For more on the latest film news, visit Moyens I/O and stay updated on future blockbusters before they hit theaters.