Ethan Hawke’s horror sequel dominates as ‘Good Fortune’ struggles to connect with audiences

A Strong Start for Horror

October 18, 2025: Universal and Blumhouse’s “The Black Phone 2” is off to a chillingly strong start at the box office, grossing $10.7 million on its opening day, including Thursday previews. The horror sequel, once again starring Ethan Hawke, is expected to earn between $25–28 million in its opening weekend, easily taking the top spot.

The film marks the return of Hawke as the sinister “Grabber,” with the story expanding the mythology of the original 2022 sleeper hit. Directed by Scott Derrickson, The Black Phone 2 has been praised for its suspense, atmosphere, and deeper emotional themes, helping it outperform early industry expectations.

Horror Still Reigns Supreme

The strong debut for The Black Phone 2 continues a winning streak for the horror genre in 2025. After hits like Smile 2 and Talk to Me Again, audiences have proven they’re eager for dark, psychological thrillers on the big screen.

Box office analyst Erik Davis commented, “Horror remains one of the most reliable genres for drawing people to theaters. When the story connects emotionally — like it does here — it becomes an event.”

The film is expected to maintain strong word of mouth through the weekend, especially given October’s spooky season and limited competition from major releases.

‘Good Fortune’ Falls Flat

Meanwhile, “Good Fortune,” the new comedy directed by and starring Seth Rogen, along with Keanu Reeves and Aziz Ansari, is struggling to gain traction. The film debuted in third place, earning an estimated $2.9 million on Friday and is on track for a modest $8 million weekend total.

Despite its star-studded cast and unique premise about karma and second chances, critics have described Good Fortune as “uneven,” and audience reactions have been lukewarm. The film’s release also comes amid strong competition from genre hits and award-season contenders, making it difficult to stand out.

Other Box Office Contenders

In second place, Disney’s “Moana 2” continues to perform steadily in its fifth week, grossing another $4.5 million on Friday and pushing its domestic total past $460 million. Meanwhile, Joker: Folie à Deux and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice are both still drawing late-season crowds as they near the end of their theatrical runs.

The Weekend Outlook

With its impressive debut, The Black Phone 2 is poised to dominate the weekend box office, reaffirming the power of well-crafted horror to bring audiences back to cinemas.

As one critic put it: “People don’t just want to be scared — they want to feel something real underneath the fear. And that’s what ‘The Black Phone 2’ delivers.”