Blumhouse, the renowned horror production company, has successfully broken a challenging box office losing streak with the triumphant release of Black Phone 2. The highly anticipated sequel, arriving three years after the original hit The Black Phone, secured the top spot on the weekend’s box office charts, providing a much-needed victory for the studio.

Directed once again by Scott Derrickson, who also contributed to the screenplay alongside C. Robert Cargill and Joe Hill (the author whose short story inspired the first film), Black Phone 2 achieved an impressive global opening of $42 million. This substantial figure includes a leading $26.5 million from domestic markets in the United States and Canada, complemented by $15.5 million from international territories. Key overseas performances included Mexico with $4.3 million, the United Kingdom and Ireland with $1.4 million, and Brazil with $1.2 million. With a reported production budget of $30 million, the film’s strong debut positions it favorably to recoup its costs, marking a significant resurgence for Blumhouse after a period of commercial setbacks.

The narrative of Black Phone 2 delves deeper into its chilling universe. Finn, now 17, grapples with the traumatic aftermath of his previous captivity, while his sister experiences a new series of terrifying, nightmarish calls originating from the mysterious black phone. These haunting episodes lead her to envision three boys being relentlessly pursued at Alpine Lake, a secluded winter camp, blurring the line between disturbing visions and grim reality. The film features the return of Ethan Hawke as the menacing Grabber and Mason Thames as Finney Blake, reprising their pivotal roles.

Critically, Black Phone 2 has been met with largely positive reviews, earning a solid 81% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and praised for its chilling atmosphere, strong performances, and ability to expand the mythology without losing the intensity of the original. Reviewers highlighted Derrickson’s sharp direction and Hawke’s unsettling presence, noting that while the sequel treads familiar territory, it delivers enough fresh scares and emotional depth to satisfy both longtime horror fans and new audiences. The strong word-of-mouth and enthusiastic audience reception suggest that Black Phone 2 could enjoy lasting success at the box office, cementing Blumhouse’s return to form.