Weapons dominates box office with record-breaking horror debut

In the United States, Zach Cregger's horror film, Weapons, premiered during the second weekend of August 2025, becoming the top film in North America by earning $42.5 million in theaters. The film debuted in 3,202 theaters and is a follow-up to Cregger's previous critically acclaimed work, Barbarian. In the same weekend, Disney's sequel comedy, Freakier Friday, also performed well, coming in second with $29 million from 3,975 theaters. This weekend's box office results showcased the viability of horror and comedic films simultaneously attracting audiences. The successful marketing campaigns for both films contributed to their strong performance at the box office, suggesting positive word-of-mouth drove ticket sales. The positive reception of Weapons continues a trend of successful horror releases in 2025, following movies like Final Destination: Bloodlines and Sinners, which also performed well domestically. While Weapons captured attention, other previously popular films, such as The Fantastic Four: First Steps, fell to third place with $15.5 million during its second week. This film saw a decline after an impressive debut of $118 million. The box office landscape shifted, emphasizing the preference among audiences for engaging horror-comedy experiences. Jeffrey Goldstein, president of Global Distribution for Warner Bros., commented on the remarkable engagement in discussions about Weapons and praised its strong marketing. He noted that the film's exceptional release date, its solid storyline, and its positive critical reception helped maintain significant interest. The overall success of this box office weekend is notable for Warner Bros., which has rebounded from an earlier slow start in 2025 with multiple successful releases. The studio has successfully launched several horror films this year, positioning itself firmly within this profitable genre. The diverse nature of films featured in the top ranks indicates that audiences are seeking a variety of entertainment, emphasizing the potential for future creative endeavors across genres. As the box office figures are finalized, the industry reflects on how these trends inform future film productions, marketing strategies, and audience engagement planning for the rest of the year.