Box Office Report: 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2' Dominates Post-Thanksgiving Weekend
The box office saw a surge in attendance over the post-Thanksgiving weekend as audiences flocked to see "Five Nights at Freddy's 2," the latest installment in the horror game franchise. The film opened to an impressive $63 million domestically, surpassing initial projections. Despite not reaching the heights of its predecessor, which grossed $80 million upon release, the sequel's success is a significant win for Universal and Blumhouse, especially after a challenging year for the latter. With a budget of $36 million, the film features returning cast members and follows a night guard battling animatronic killers. Internationally, it earned $46 million, bringing its global total to $109 million.
Disney's "Zootopia 2" claimed the second spot at the box office, raking in $43 million and solidifying its status as a major hit. The animated sequel has already amassed over $220 million domestically and $915.8 million worldwide. "Wicked: For Good" secured third place with $15.6 million in its third weekend, pushing its domestic earnings to $295.8 million. "Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution" debuted in fourth place with $10.2 million, while Lionsgate's "Now You See Me, Now You Don't" rounded out the top five with $3.5 million.
In the indie scene, Sony Pictures Classics released "Merrily We Roll Along," a filmed version of the Stephen Sondheim musical, which earned $1.2 million. Focus Features' "Hamnet" expanded its theater count and brought in $2.3 million, positioning itself as a potential Oscars contender. Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair" also made waves, grossing $3.2 million. Theater owners are optimistic about the holiday season and upcoming blockbusters like "Avatar: Fire and Ash," despite concerns over Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros., which could reshape the industry landscape.