Topline
“Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” dominated the domestic box office this weekend, raking in an estimated $63 million, according to preliminary figures from Hollywood trade sources. Despite receiving negative reviews from critics, the film enjoyed a strong debut.
Returning stars Josh Hutcherson and Elizabeth Lail headline the sequel, directed by Emma Tammi with franchise creator Scott Cawthon contributing as screenwriter. The film was released in 3,412 theaters nationwide over the weekend.
Internationally, the horror movie pulled in around $46 million, bringing its total global earnings to an impressive $109 million for the opening weekend.
Considering its modest production budget of $36 million, the movie’s financial performance is commendable.
However, the sequel didn’t quite reach the heights of its predecessor, which set a new record for the largest Halloween opening weekend with an $80 million domestic debut in 2023.
Critics have largely criticized “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,” reflected in its low 12% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 26 “generally unfavorable” score on Metacritic. Yet, it’s worth noting that the first film also faced harsh reviews.
Critics have panned “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,” earning it a 12% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 26 “generally unfavorable” rating on Metacritic—but critics also despised the first installment.
The series’ fans seem to be connecting with the new installment, giving it an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a “B” Cinemascore based on surveys after screenings.
What Other Films Were Hits At The Box Office?
The other two big blockbusters that debuted in recent weeks took the second and third slots over the weekend. Disney’s “Zootopia 2” came in second with an estimated $43 million gross, for a combined $915 million over the world. “Zootopia 2” opened over Thanksgiving, grossing over $156 million at domestic theaters over the five-day holiday weekend—a fraction of what it pulled in overseas. It could become the second film of the year to make over $1 billion at the box office, after another Disney hit “Lilo & Stitch” broke that milestone over the summer. “Wicked: For Good” remained in third place, grossing about $15.6 million—a significant drop after a $91 million five-day Thanksgiving weekend.
