Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 opened this weekend in 3,412 theaters across the U.S. and Canada and pulled in $63 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates released Sunday.
The figure eclipses expectations for a PG‑13 horror film released after Thanksgiving, a period that traditionally sees more subdued releases.
The movie’s success demonstrates that a low‑budget horror franchise can dominate the box office even when reviews are negative.
It also marked the biggest opening ever for a weekend after Thanksgiving.
“Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” is the second installment in a franchise that began with a surprise hit in October 2023, which opened to $80 million despite being available on Peacock.
The sequel was released exclusively in theaters, a decision that paid off with a reported production cost of only $36 million.
This cost‑to‑earnings ratio highlights the potential upside of theatrical releases for studios.
Universal’s strategy to keep the film in theaters rather than on streaming platforms appears to have resonated with audiences.
Jim Orr, who heads domestic distribution for Universal, said, “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.”
His statement reflects the broader optimism that the film’s performance has injected into the market.
The movie’s box office numbers also make it the largest PG‑13 opening of the year and the second‑largest horror opening, trailing only “The Conjuring: Last Rites.”
The franchise’s premise—a family restaurant where animatronic robots turn murderous at night—remains a central draw for fans.
Critical reviews were overwhelmingly negative, with many describing the film as a disappointment compared to its predecessor.
Mark Kennedy, in a zero‑star review for The Associated Press, called the film an “incoherent mess.”
Despite this, horror enthusiasts have historically turned out in large numbers during opening weekends.
The film’s ability to attract viewers despite bad reviews underscores the loyalty of its fan base.
Audience sentiment, however, differed sharply from critics.
PostTrak polling data showed that 70% of ticket buyers said they would “definitely” recommend “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” to friends.
This high recommendation rate illustrates the film’s strong word‑of‑mouth potential.
It also signals that the movie’s core audience is willing to overlook negative press in favor of the communal experience.
The data suggests that the film’s marketing and franchise identity resonate strongly with viewers.
Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends for Comscore, commented on the demographic impact of the film.
He said, “The teen video gamer audience is sometimes underestimated and this weekend proves once again that given the right film, will come out to the movie theater for that communal experience with fellow fans.”
Dergarabedian’s observation highlights the importance of targeting niche audiences for box‑office success.
The film’s performance may influence how studios approach similar releases in the future.
The success of “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” also had ripple effects on other releases.
It pushed Disney’s family‑friendly “Zootopia 2” into second place in its second weekend, where the film added $43 million in North America.
“Zootopia 2” remains a strong performer, having amassed $219 million from 52 territories worldwide, including China.
Its global total stands at $915.8 million, making it the only studio release to cross the $5 billion threshold this year.
Universal’s “Wicked: For Good” landed in third place in its third weekend, earning $16.8 million from 3,985 theaters.
The film’s domestic total is just shy of $297 million, indicating steady performance across the season.
Fourth place went to Gkids’ anime “Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution,” which opened to an estimated $10.2 million.
Lionsgate’s “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” rounded out the top five with $3.5 million, pushing its running global total to $210 million.
“Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair” was close behind with $3.3 million from 1,198 theaters.
Quentin Tarantino combined “Kill Bill: Vol. 1” and “Vol. 2” into a four‑hour and 35‑minute epic, including a 15‑minute intermission.
The Lionsgate release earned a rare A+ CinemaScore from an audience that was 72% male.
According to the studio, most of the 70mm and 35mm showings were sold out, prompting discussions of an extended run.
Lucy Liu, a star of “Kill Bill,” had a notable weekend at New York’s AMC Lincoln Square, where the independent drama “Rosemead” made $50,243 from one screen.
A filmed version of the Tony‑winning revival “Merrily We Roll Along,” starring Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe and Lindsay Mendez, opened just outside the top 10 with $1.2 million from 1,084 screens.
The running annual domestic box office just this weekend surpassed $8 billion, marking only the second time the figure has exceeded $9 billion since the pandemic.
The previous record was set in 2023 by “Barbie,” which topped the year.
Dergarabedian said, “It’s not impossible, but every movie is going to have to overperform in some way if we’re going to get to the $9 billion threshold.”
The comment reflects the challenge studios face in maintaining high box‑office totals.
The industry is closely watching how low‑budget, high‑return films like “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” influence future release strategies.
These developments may reshape the balance between theatrical and streaming distribution.
Jonathan Bailey, known for his work in “Jurassic World Rebirth,” discussed the digital release of the film in Thailand with director Gareth Edwards.
He spoke with Access Hollywood’s guest correspondent Lauren Herbert about his chemistry with Scarlett Johansson and his “Wicked” co‑stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
The conversation highlighted the collaborative nature of the film industry.
Bailey’s enthusiasm for his fellow performers underscores the interconnectedness of contemporary cinema.
Top ten domestic box‑office rankings for the weekend are as follows:
- “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” – $63 million;
- “Zootopia 2” – $43 million;
- “Wicked: For Good” – $16.7 million;
- “Jujutsu Kasen: Execution” – $10.2 million;
- “Now You See Me: Now Don’t” – $3.5 million;
- “Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair” – $3.3 million;
- “Eternity” – $2.7 million;
- “Hamnet” – $2.3 million;
- “Dhurandhar” – $1.9 million;
- “Predator: Badlands” – $1.9 million.
These figures reflect a diverse mix of genres and production scales.
The list demonstrates the continued viability of both blockbuster franchises and independent releases.
It also showcases the broad range of audience interests.
Key takeaways from the weekend include the remarkable box‑office success of “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” despite negative reviews.
The film’s performance illustrates the power of dedicated fan bases and targeted marketing.
It also highlights the potential for low‑budget productions to achieve high returns when released theatrically.
The overall domestic box‑office surpassed $8 billion, a milestone that only a handful of years have achieved since the pandemic.
Looking forward, the industry will likely reassess how it balances theatrical releases with streaming availability.
Studios may consider replicating the strategy used by Universal for “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.”
The success story could encourage investment in similar horror franchises.
However, the need to overperform remains a challenge for studios aiming to hit the $9 billion threshold.
The weekend’s results also underscore the importance of audience engagement metrics such as PostTrak recommendations.
High recommendation rates can translate into sustained box‑office performance beyond opening weekends.
The data collected by Comscore and other market analysts will inform future release strategies.
Ultimately, the performance of “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” will serve as a case study for studios worldwide.
Industry analysts will continue to monitor the impact of this release on future theatrical strategies.
The success of the film may shift the perception of low‑budget horror as a viable revenue generator.
Studios may also explore similar partnerships with fan‑centric marketing campaigns.
The long‑term effects on the broader film distribution model remain to be seen.
Overall, the weekend’s box‑office landscape was dominated by a mix of franchise hits and niche releases.
The data demonstrates that even in a challenging post‑pandemic market, high‑performing films can thrive.
The success of “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” is a testament to the enduring appeal of horror franchises.
The industry will likely learn from this example as it plans future releases.
These developments signal a potential shift in how studios approach release windows and marketing.
The combination of low production costs and high audience turnout is a powerful formula.
The industry’s response to “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” may influence the next wave of film releases.
This weekend’s results will be closely analyzed by stakeholders across the market.
While the film’s performance is impressive, it also highlights the competitive nature of the box‑office market.
Studios must continue to innovate to capture audience attention.
The success of “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” may inspire new projects within the horror genre.
The industry’s future strategy will hinge on balancing theatrical and streaming platforms.
With the weekend’s data in hand, studios will likely revisit their release strategies.
The success of low‑budget, high‑return projects could lead to more such films.
The industry will monitor how fan engagement translates into revenue.
This case may guide future decisions on distribution models.
Finally, the weekend’s performance illustrates the resilience of the domestic box‑office in the post‑pandemic era.
The film’s success demonstrates that audiences still value the theatrical experience.
The data will inform future marketing and distribution strategies.
The industry’s adaptation to changing consumer habits remains a critical focus.
- “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” earned $63 million, topping Thanksgiving weekend and proving low‑budget horror can dominate the box office.
- Despite a zero‑star review, 70 % of ticket buyers would “definitely” recommend the film, showing strong fan loyalty.
- The film’s success may shift how studios balance theatrical releases with streaming options, especially for niche genres.
With “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2” setting a new benchmark for post‑Thanksgiving openings, the industry will watch closely how this low‑budget horror franchise reshapes future release strategies and audience expectations.
The weekend’s box‑office results confirm that dedicated fan bases and targeted marketing can overcome negative reviews, sustaining strong theatrical performance in a challenging market.
