Blumhouse is proving once again why they're a force to be reckoned with!
'Five Nights at Freddy's 2' is making a killing at the box office, defying the post-Thanksgiving slump with an estimated $56.6 million opening weekend from 3,412 theaters. This impressive figure marks the biggest opening ever for the post-Thanksgiving frame, setting a new benchmark in the industry. But here's where it gets controversial: critics weren't exactly thrilled. The sequel currently holds a mere 13% on Rotten Tomatoes, a stark contrast to the first film's 33%. Yet, audiences seem to be loving it, giving it a B CinemaScore – not bad for a horror flick!
While it didn't quite match the first film's $80 million domestic debut, comparing the two is tricky due to their different release patterns. The sequel is on track to become the second-best horror opening of the year domestically, just behind 'The Conjuring Last Rites'. It's also the highest opening for a PG-13 horror movie this year, surpassing 'Predator: Badlands,' and the biggest December horror opening ever, beating out 'Scream 2'.
In 2023, the original 'Five Nights at Freddy's' became a horror phenomenon, earning over $300 million globally. The sequel brings back Josh Hutcherson and director Emma Tammi. The film's momentum started with a massive $30.1 million on Friday, including previews.
Meanwhile, Disney's 'Zootopia 2' is expected to secure second place with $45 million from 4,000 locations, bringing its domestic total to over $222 million. 'Wicked: For Good' is experiencing a significant drop, falling approximately 75% in its third weekend, with an estimated $15.6 million from 3,985 locations, totaling $296 million domestically.
And this is the part most people miss... GKIDS' new anime film 'Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution' is projected to take fourth place with about $10 million from 1,823 cinemas. Two Lionsgate titles, Quentin Tarantino's 'Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair' and 'Now You See Me: Now You Don't,' are battling for fifth place, each earning around $4 million. 'The Whole Bloody Affair' combines 'Kill Bill: Vol. 1' and 'Kill Bill: Vol. 2' and features a new anime sequence. The film is over four hours long, including a 15-minute intermission.
What are your thoughts on the success of 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2' despite the negative reviews? Do you think the audience's opinion is more important than the critics'? Share your thoughts in the comments!
