The horror thriller “Weapons” continues its terrifying dominance at the North American box office, fending off newcomers and holdovers alike in a weekend that saw Bob Odenkirk’s action sequel “Nobody 2” settle for a modest third-place debut. Despite fresh competition, the Zach Cregger-directed sensation dropped just 42% in its sophomore outing, earning an estimated $25 million and cementing its status as 2024’s breakout horror hit according to Warner Bros. estimates.
How Did Weapons Achieve Such a Strong Hold?
Horror films typically suffer steep second-weekend declines, often exceeding 60%. Yet “Weapons” defied industry norms with its $25 million haul—a testament to potent word-of-mouth and viral social media buzz. The film’s per-theater average of $7,200+ from 3,450 locations outperformed expectations, signaling sustained audience enthusiasm. Industry analyst David Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research notes, “A sub-50% drop for any horror film post-debut is exceptional. ‘Weapons’ has become a cultural conversation starter, driving repeat viewings.” The film’s cumulative domestic total now stands at $86 million against a $35 million budget.
How Did the New Releases Perform?
Universal’s “Nobody 2” opened below projections with $9.4 million from 3,200 theaters. Despite a 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the $26 million-budgeted sequel earned a B+ CinemaScore—lower than the first film’s A-. Universal remains optimistic, citing the franchise’s proven PVOD (Premium Video-On-Demand) strength. As distribution chief Jim Orr stated, “These films have legs beyond theaters. We expect strong digital returns.”
Meanwhile, specialty releases faltered:
- Spike Lee’s Apple Original film “Highest 2 Lowest” (distributed by A24) earned $894,000 from 220 theaters ($4,062 per location).
- Lionsgate’s crime drama “Americana” bombed with $840,000 from 1,100 theaters—a dismal $460 per-screen average.
What About the Holdovers?
Disney’s “Freakier Friday” held steadily, dropping ≈50% with $14-15 million in its second weekend. The Jamie Lee Curtis/Lindsay Lohan reunion has grossed $56 million domestically, proving family comedies retain appeal. Other holdovers like “A Quiet Place: Day One” and “Inside Out 2” continued contributing to a robust summer box office up 18% year-over-year (Comscore, July 2024).
“Weapons” has not only slashed box office expectations but reshaped the summer movie landscape. Its sustained success amid high-profile sequels and family fare underscores horror’s enduring power. With no major horror competitors until September, its path to $150M+ domestically looks clear. For real-time box office updates, follow trusted sources like The Numbers or Box Office Mojo.
Must Know
Q: How much has Weapons grossed worldwide?
A: As of this weekend, “Weapons” has earned $86 million domestically and $112 million internationally. Its global total stands at $198 million against a $35 million budget, per Warner Bros.
Q: Will there be a Nobody 3?
A: Despite “Nobody 2’s” soft opening, Universal has not ruled out a third film. The first movie earned $68M domestically in 2021 and found massive success on PVOD—a pattern they hope to repeat.
Q: Why did Americana bomb at the box office?
A: “Americana” (starring Sydney Sweeney) premiered at SXSW in 2023 but suffered from minimal marketing, competition from established franchises, and lack of star-driven promotional tours.
Q: Is Weapons connected to Barbarian?
A: Yes. Director Zach Cregger’s 2022 hit “Barbarian” established his horror brand. Though not a sequel, “Weapons” shares similar thematic thrills, drawing the same audience.
Q: When will Weapons stream?
A: Warner Bros. has not announced a streaming date, but industry norms suggest a 45-60 day theatrical window. Expect a Max debut in late August or early September.
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