Strictly Business Daily Variety -- Box Office: 'Black Phone 2' Connects for Blumhouse in a Record Year for Horror; Q3 Earnings Preview for Netflix, Disney and More
Oct 21, 2025
Rebecca Rubin, Senior Film and Media Reporter at Variety, dives into the success of 'Black Phone 2' and its role in horror's record-breaking box office, reaching $1.2 billion in 2025. She discusses Blumhouse's strong track record in profitable horror franchises and analyzes the genre's significant contribution to year-to-date earnings. Additionally, Todd Spangler provides insights into Q3 earnings predictions for major players like Netflix and Disney, highlighting shifts in subscriber focus and the evolving landscape of streaming services.
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Sequel’s Modest Win In Slow October
- Black Phone 2 opened to $26.5M, slightly above the 2022 original's $23M and landed No.1 in a slower October weekend.
- Rebecca Rubin frames it as a modest Blumhouse hit aided by seasonal timing and light competition.
Blumhouse’s Hit Rate Still Mostly Strong
- Blumhouse has built a reputation for low-budget, high-return horror franchises but has seen recent underperformers this year.
- Rebecca Rubin notes their prolific output leads to inevitable misses despite long-term profitability.
2025 Is A Record Year For Horror
- Horror has generated a record $1.2 billion YTD in 2025, surpassing the 2017 milestone.
- Rebecca Rubin highlights original horror and breakout titles from multiple studios driving the surge.
