Strictly Business Daily Variety – Box Office: ‘Weapons’ Impresses as Summer Haul Stays Flat; Why Telluride Film Festival is the Ultimate Binge for Movie Lovers
Sep 2, 2025
A horror film named 'Weapons' surprises everyone with its strong box office performance, while the overall summer haul sputters. The Telluride Film Festival shines a spotlight on unique films, including a Bruce Springsteen biopic that has captivated audiences. There’s a detailed analysis of new releases and shifting viewer preferences, showcasing how changing trends are reshaping the industry. The festival also highlights innovative storytelling, including Shakespeare adaptations that engage both classic and contemporary themes.
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Horror's New Sweet Spot
- Weapons became a breakout by sustaining strong word-of-mouth into its fourth weekend.
- The film's $38M budget and $200M+ global haul show horror can reward midrange prestige casting.
Shift Toward Prestige Horror
- The horror landscape is shifting from ultra-low-budget Blumhouse fare to higher-budget, auteur-driven pieces.
- Audiences seem drawn to prestige casting and director-driven approaches more than strictly cheap scares.
Context Matters For Holds
- Weekend box-office rebounds can reflect weak new competition as much as strong word-of-mouth.
- Brent Lang notes new releases underperforming against a Jaws re-release, signaling marketplace fragility.
