The horror genre has always thrived on shock, suspense, and unexpected victories at the box office — and Zach Cregger’s latest film, Weapons, is proving to be no exception. The mysterious, unsettling thriller starring Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, and Alden Ehrenreich is not just holding strong but actually dominating competition for the second consecutive week.
After opening with a stunning $42.5 million domestic debut, Weapons followed up with a powerful $25 million in its second weekend, bringing its global tally to $43.4 million. With audiences flocking to experience its chilling take on a missing-children mystery, the film has become one of the biggest surprise hits of the year.
Horror Keeps Winning at the Box Office
Hollywood often views horror as a gamble, but when it works, it pays off handsomely. Weapons, directed by Zach Cregger (best known for Barbarian), has clearly struck a nerve with viewers. The film blends psychological tension, haunting imagery, and a layered mystery that keeps audiences on edge from start to finish.
What makes this success more impressive is the competition it faced. Disney’s highly publicized comedy sequel Freakier Friday — starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis — had a strong push but could not outpace Weapons during its debut. The gap last week was $13.5 million in favor of the horror flick, and although Freakier Friday narrowed the margin this weekend, taking in $14.5 million domestically and $23.8 million globally, it still couldn’t dethrone Weapons, slipping to the No. 5 global spot.
Other Box Office Contenders
The second weekend of August brought a mix of fresh releases and holdovers, but none could topple the dominance of Weapons.
- Nobody 2: The sequel to Bob Odenkirk’s 2021 action-comedy launched with $9.2 million domestically. Globally, it secured $32 million, enough to place it at No. 2 on the international chart but still far from challenging Cregger’s thriller.
- Fantastic Four: First Steps: Marvel’s much-anticipated summer tentpole is now in its fourth week of release and showing signs of slowing. The superhero ensemble, featuring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, earned $8.8 million domestically and $18 million worldwide this weekend. While its $247 million domestic haul is solid, it pales compared to other superhero hits.
- Superman: DC’s summer counterprogramming remains a juggernaut. In its sixth week, the Man of Steel is still flying high with a $5.2 million domestic weekend, bringing its domestic total to $340 million. Globally, it continues to draw strong crowds, proving that superhero fatigue isn’t hitting every franchise.
Demon Slayer Breaks Records
While Weapons conquered Hollywood, Japanese anime dominated globally. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle opened to a staggering $31.3 million across just nine markets, reaching a total of $192.2 million.
This debut sets a new record for the highest-ever animated opening in the region, surpassing major Disney titles like Frozen II and Pixar’s Inside Out 2. The continued international growth of anime showcases how the genre is no longer a niche market but a major force in global cinema.
Why Weapons Works
The success of Weapons comes down to a combination of factors:
- A Fresh Horror Concept – Instead of recycling clichés, the movie tackles a chilling missing-children storyline with psychological depth.
- Star Power – With Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, and Alden Ehrenreich headlining, audiences had familiar faces to draw them in.
- Director Reputation – Zach Cregger earned credibility with Barbarian, and fans trusted his vision for another unsettling tale.
- Timing – Releasing against lighter comedies and sequels gave Weapons the edge to stand out.
The movie not only appealed to horror fans but also captured casual moviegoers looking for something different from the usual superhero blockbusters.
The Road Ahead
Looking ahead, Weapons faces new challengers that could shake up the leaderboard.
- Eden: Directed by Ron Howard, this survival thriller tells the true story of European émigrés whose lives spiral into chaos after settling in the Galápagos Islands. With a cast including Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Sydney Sweeney, and Vanessa Kirby, it has strong star appeal.
- Honey Don’t!: A new comedy-crime caper from Ethan Coen, starring Margaret Qualley, Chris Evans, and Aubrey Plaza. With its quirky tone and star-studded ensemble, it could attract audiences looking for lighter fare.
Whether Weapons can pull off a third consecutive weekend win will depend on how well it holds against these fresh releases.
Conclusion
Weapons has cemented itself as one of 2025’s biggest surprise horror hits, proving that well-crafted genre films can dominate even in crowded release windows. With strong word of mouth, compelling performances, and a mystery that keeps audiences hooked, it continues to deliver at the box office both domestically and globally.
The film’s success comes during a summer packed with superhero spectacles, sequels, and high-budget studio projects — yet it stands apart by offering something truly unsettling and unique. Whether or not it maintains its momentum against upcoming releases, Weapons has already carved its place in box office history.
For movie fans, this proves yet again: you can run, you can hide, but when a horror film hits the right nerve, it’s unstoppable.