Weapons Box Office: Zach Cregger’s Horror Mystery Stuns with $5M+ Previews, Topping Freakier Friday

The chilling mystery of Zach Cregger’s Weapons isn’t just unfolding on screen – it’s dominating the box office. Defying expectations, the highly anticipated horror follow-up to Barbarian shocked the industry with an estimated $5 million+ haul from Thursday previews, setting the stage for a potentially massive opening weekend and easily overshadowing Disney’s Freakier Friday.

Early figures reported by Deadline (September 2024) place Weapons‘ preview performance on par with the summer hit Final Destination: Bloodlines, which rocketed to a $51 million opening. Fueling this surge is intense audience curiosity, meticulously cultivated by Cregger and New Line Cinema through deliberately cryptic marketing. Trailers offered unsettling glimpses but fiercely guarded the film’s core secrets, a strategy praised by critics and audiences alike. As JoBlo’s Editor-in-Chief Chris Bumbray noted in his review, “The previews for Weapons have been left deliberately vague… your enjoyment of Weapons will be at its highest the less you know about it.” This air of mystery, coupled with stellar advance ticket sales (ranking as Fandango’s second-highest horror pre-seller of 2024), points to robust walk-up business throughout the weekend. Critical acclaim bolsters its prospects, with a stellar 98% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes (as of September 2024) and a potent 90% Audience Score signaling strong word-of-mouth potential.

How Did ‘Weapons’ Generate Such Massive Pre-Release Buzz?

Cregger masterfully leveraged the goodwill and shock value earned from Barbarian‘s success. The marketing campaign leaned heavily into the unknown, refusing to spoil the central enigma. Posters and teasers were designed to provoke questions, not provide answers. This strategy created a must-see event for horror enthusiasts desperate to unravel the puzzle themselves. Industry analysts suggest the film tapped into a craving for original, high-concept horror that doesn’t rely on established franchises. Furthermore, positioning Weapons just before the traditional October horror boom capitalized on pent-up demand for a genuinely frightening cinematic experience. The combination of Cregger’s rising auteur status, the audience’s trust in his ability to deliver scares and surprises, and the disciplined secrecy proved a potent formula for driving early turnout.

Disney’s ‘Freakier Friday’ Swaps Laughs, But Not Dollars

While Weapons thrived on suspense, Disney’s Freakier Friday, reuniting Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, delivered familiar body-swap comedy but found a more modest reception. Its Thursday previews drew an estimated $3.3 million, comparable to Disney’s recent Mufasa: The Lion King previews, which led to a $35 million opening weekend. Audience reception on Rotten Tomatoes is warm (94% as of September 2024), suggesting fans of the original 2003 film enjoyed the nostalgic return. However, critics were less enthused, resulting in a 73% Tomatometer score. As critic Tyler Nichols observed, “Despite completely lacking in originality, it was inoffensive, and fans of the first film will likely have a good time. I just can’t imagine this converting non-fans.” The film faces the challenge of appealing primarily to a specific demographic already familiar with the premise, lacking the broad, curiosity-driven appeal that propelled Weapons.

Zach Cregger’s Weapons has unequivocally declared itself the box office victor this weekend with a powerhouse $5 million+ preview start, proving that masterful suspense and audience trust can outgun even major studio sequels like Freakier Friday. Its record-breaking preview performance and sky-high scores position it not just as a hit, but as the must-see horror event of the season. Experience the mystery captivating audiences – see Weapons in theaters now.

Must Know

• What were the Thursday preview numbers for ‘Weapons’?
  Weapons earned an impressive $5 million+ in Thursday night previews, as reported by Deadline (September 2024). This strong start positions it for a potentially massive opening weekend, similar to recent horror hits like Final Destination: Bloodlines.
• How does ‘Weapons’ compare to ‘Freakier Friday’ at the box office?
  Weapons significantly outperformed Freakier Friday in previews. Weapons garnered over $5 million, while Freakier Friday brought in approximately $3.3 million, according to Deadline’s early figures (September 2024).
• Why is ‘Weapons’ getting so much buzz?
  The buzz stems from director Zach Cregger’s previous hit Barbarian, the film’s deliberately mysterious marketing campaign that reveals little of the plot, stellar early reviews (98% on Rotten Tomatoes), and strong advance ticket sales, making it Fandango’s second-biggest horror pre-seller of 2024.
• Is ‘Freakier Friday’ worth watching for fans?
  Early audience scores (94% on Rotten Tomatoes) suggest fans of the original 2003 Freaky Friday will likely enjoy the reunion of Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. However, critics note it lacks originality, primarily catering to existing fans rather than drawing new viewers.
• What is the critical reception for ‘Weapons’?
  Weapons is receiving outstanding critical acclaim. It currently holds a near-perfect 98% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes (as of September 2024), alongside a very strong 90% Audience Score, indicating both critics and early viewers are highly impressed.
• Where can I find reliable box office updates?
  Major industry trade publications like Deadline, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter provide ongoing, authoritative box office analysis and final weekend tallies, typically confirmed by studio estimates and sources like Comscore.