The box office landscape experienced a dismal turnout during the Halloween weekend of 2025, marking what many are calling the worst weekend of the year. With total earnings floundering at a mere $43 million, the disinterest from moviegoers is evident. This downturn is particularly grim when compared to previous years, as the industry finds itself in a “quiet post-summer moviegoing corridor,” according to Paul Dergarabedian, Comscore’s head of marketplace trends.
Halloween typically results in slower ticket sales, a tradition upheld this year as families engaged in trick-or-treating instead of flocking to theaters. Adding to the distractions was the Major League Baseball’s World Series, where Game 7 captivated sports fans’ attention, further impacting cinema revenues. Consequently, this Halloween fell flat with ticket sales leading to the lowest-grossing October in 27 years, with a total domestic earning of just $425 million.
Despite the gloomy industry context, two films, Regretting You and Black Phone 2, emerged as somewhat unexpected box office contenders. Regretting You, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, claimed the top spot with $8.1 million during its second weekend. This represented a commendable 41% decline from its opening weekend, bringing its cumulative North American gross to $27.5 million against a budget of $30 million. Hoover, well-known for her works like It Ends With Us, has seen multiple adaptations of her novels in progress, making her a rising star in the film adaptation arena.
Black Phone 2 closely followed with $8 million in its second weekend, elevating its total domestic earnings to $61 million and hitting $104 million globally. As the only Blumhouse release nearing $100 million this year, its performance contrasts sharply with the broader box office malaise. While audiences anticipated a busy October brimming with Oscar contenders and big-budget films, titles like The Smashing Machine, After the Hunt, and Disney’s Tron: Ares failed to generate the expected excitement.
Interestingly, two animated features, Netflix’s KPop Demon Hunters and the highly regarded Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc, provided competitive alternative viewing options. Both films are estimated to have grossed around $6 million, indicating that audiences are exploring diverse content beyond traditional blockbuster fare.
Underperforming films may reveal a shift in viewer trends, suggesting an inclination towards streaming and varied media consumption over traditional theatrical experiences. The renewed interest in older classics, evidenced by the 40th anniversary re-release of Back to the Future and a special return of The Twilight Saga, highlights the demand for nostalgic viewing experiences.
While Regretting You and Black Phone 2 brought some life to the box office, they also exemplified the prevailing issues currently haunting the film industry. A lack of new releases combined with the holiday’s impact on moviegoing behavior has rendered October 2025 a bleak chapter in box office history. As the industry awaits fresh material to invigorate cinemas, the hope remains that upcoming releases in December, such as Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, may help shift the trajectory.
In conclusion, the performances of Regretting You and Black Phone 2 illustrate potential for individual success even amid widespread industry challenges. However, the broader circumstances highlight a pressing need for innovative offerings and marketing strategies that can recapture audience interest and offer a more enticing cinema experience. As studios prepare for a new year, building upon the success of adaptations while embracing audience preferences across various platforms will be crucial in revitalizing an industry in desperate need of a turnaround.
