Weapons Worldwide Box Office Surge: Zach Cregger’s Horror Smash Outpaces Daniel Craig’s Sci-Fi Western

Zach Cregger’s Weapons continues its box office domination in 2025, emerging as one of the year’s biggest horror hits. Following the success of his 2022 sleeper hit Barbarian, Cregger’s latest film has officially surpassed $180 million globally. Released with a modest $38 million budget, the film has achieved commercial success, crossing five times its cost, and outperforming several big-budget productions.

The film’s standout performance was recently solidified when it overtook Cowboys & Aliens, a 2011 sci-fi western starring Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford. Despite its star power and a blockbuster budget, Cowboys & Aliens ended its worldwide run at $174.8 million. Weapons, meanwhile, has already pulled in $180.6 million globally—$105 million in North America and $75.6 million internationally.

How Did Weapons Surpass Big-Budget Films Like Cowboys & Aliens?

Weapons’ unexpected box office surge highlights how horror continues to thrive, especially when supported by strong storytelling and audience word-of-mouth. The film’s performance proves that compelling content can outperform star-heavy productions even without franchise backing.

This theatrical milestone marks a notable moment for the horror genre, showing how smart production choices and effective marketing can create a box office phenomenon. Weapons achieving this feat while still in theaters suggests it may continue its climb toward the $200 million benchmark, potentially overtaking other top performers of 2025.

Which Horror Films Has Weapons Outgrossed So Far?

As Weapons climbs the charts, it has already eclipsed the lifetime global earnings of several well-known horror films, including:

• Paranormal Activity 2 (2010) – $177.5 million

• Alien vs. Predator (2004) – $177.4 million

• The Haunting (1999) – $177.3 million

• Scream 2 (1997) – $172.3 million

• Cloverfield (2008) – $172.3 million

• Nope (2022) – $171.2 million

• Insidious: The Last Key (2018) – $167.8 million

• 28 Years Later (2025) – $150.4 million

This positions Weapons as the 16th highest-grossing film of 2025 so far, with the potential to soon overtake Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle ($201.3 million) and Disney’s Snow White ($205.7 million).

What Is Weapons About?

Set in a small American town, Weapons revolves around a terrifying mystery that unfolds after an unthinkable tragedy strikes a local school. One night, nearly every student in Justine Gandy’s class disappears—except one. As panic grips the community, survivors must unravel the truth behind the eerie mass disappearance. With rising fear and unanswered questions, the film dives deep into psychological horror, leaving audiences gripped until the final reveal.

With its unique blend of suspense, character-driven storytelling, and a chilling central mystery, Weapons continues to resonate with viewers worldwide, proving horror’s enduring box office appeal.

With sustained momentum and strong word-of-mouth, Weapons is likely to cross new milestones, setting itself apart as a defining horror success in 2025. The global Weapons worldwide box office trend shows no signs of slowing down.

For your information:

How much has Weapons made worldwide?
Weapons has earned $180.6 million globally, including $105 million in North America and $75.6 million internationally.

Which Daniel Craig film did Weapons surpass?
It surpassed Cowboys & Aliens (2011), a sci-fi western that grossed $174.8 million globally.

What is Weapons about?
The film centers on a mass disappearance of students in a quiet American town, leading to a chilling mystery and psychological terror.

Is Weapons still in theaters?
Yes, Weapons continues its theatrical run and is expected to climb higher in the global box office rankings.

Who directed Weapons?
Weapons was directed by Zach Cregger, best known for his 2022 horror hit Barbarian.

What other films has Weapons outperformed?
It has outgrossed Paranormal Activity 2, Nope, Cloverfield, and more, positioning itself among the top horror earners of the decade.