“Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” Dominates Box Office with $63 Million Opening

The horror film “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” has made a significant impact at the box office, earning an impressive $63 million during its opening weekend across 3,412 theatres in the United States and Canada. Despite receiving largely negative reviews, this sequel has achieved the largest opening ever for a weekend following Thanksgiving, a time typically characterized by diminished box office returns.

Director Emma Tammi returns with a screenplay written by the game’s creator, Scott Cawthon. The franchise features a storyline revolving around the fictional Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, where animatronic characters take a terrifying turn at night. The first film, released in October 2023, was a surprise hit, debuting at $80 million despite its availability for streaming on Peacock. Universal Pictures decided to release the sequel exclusively in theatres, showcasing a commitment to the theatrical experience.

Box Office Performance and Industry Impact

According to studio estimates, the success of “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” is a bright spot in an industry facing scrutiny and challenges. Jim Orr, head of domestic distribution for Universal, noted, “There’s been a lot of doom and gloom about the industry overall, but this movie helped drive the industry to the biggest first weekend post-Thanksgiving ever.” The film’s production budget was approximately $36 million, indicating that it is on track to become another box office triumph.

While critics have not responded warmly to the film, with Mark Kennedy of The Associated Press branding it an “incoherent mess,” audience reception has been markedly different. According to PostTrak polling data, 70% of ticket buyers stated they would “definitely” recommend the film to friends. Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends for Comscore, emphasized that the teen video gamer demographic is often underestimated, and this weekend’s performance reflects their enthusiasm for the genre.

In the wake of “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,” the more family-oriented “Zootopia 2” secured $43 million in its second weekend, maintaining its position as a strong contender in the box office race. The Disney film has amassed over $915.8 million globally, contributing to Walt Disney Studios’ total of over $5 billion for the year, the only studio to reach this milestone in 2023.

Competitive Landscape and Upcoming Releases

Other films in the top five include “Wicked: For Good,” which earned $16.8 million in its third weekend, bringing its domestic total to nearly $297 million. The anime film “Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution” opened with an estimated $10.2 million, while “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” rounded out the top five with $3.5 million, raising its global total to $210 million.

Additionally, the re-release of Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair” garnered $3.3 million, achieving an A+ CinemaScore, indicating strong audience approval. The film combines both volumes of the original “Kill Bill” into a single extended feature, which has piqued interest among fans and led to sold-out showings in various formats.

As the box office figures from this weekend highlight the resilience of certain genres and audiences, the overall domestic box office has surpassed $8 billion for the year. Industry analysts suggest that to reach the $9 billion mark, upcoming releases must exceed expectations, given the competitive landscape and evolving viewing habits in the wake of the pandemic.

The momentum generated by “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” serves as a reminder that specific films can resonate strongly with audiences, irrespective of critical reception, driving them to theatres for shared experiences.