Universal and Blumhouse's 'Five Nights at Freddy's 2' kicked off its theatrical run with $7.2 million in Thursday previews, signaling a solid opening weekend. The horror sequel, based on Scott Cawthon's popular video game series, is projected to earn between $35 million and $40 million over its debut. Returning cast members Josh Hutcherson and Matthew Lillard reprise their roles amid animatronic terror at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza.
Preview Performance
'Five Nights at Freddy's 2' generated $7.2 million during Thursday previews, according to box office reports. This performance sets the stage for an estimated $35 million to $40 million opening weekend, a respectable showing compared to the original film's $80 million debut in 2023, which surprised audiences with $10.3 million in previews despite a simultaneous Peacock release. The first movie ultimately grossed nearly $300 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, making it Blumhouse's highest-earning title. The sequel carries a $36 million budget and arrives exclusively in theaters during the holiday season, positioning it for potential longevity.
Plot and Cast
Directed by Emma Tammi and written by video game creator Scott Cawthon, the film follows night security guard Mike (Josh Hutcherson) as he searches for his 11-year-old sister (Piper Rubio) in the abandoned Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. The animatronic characters, including Toy Chica portrayed by Megan Fox, awaken with murderous intent. Hutcherson described the intensity in a promotional featurette: "Everything's just like cranked up to level 11."
Returning from the original are Elizabeth Lail, Matthew Lillard, and Piper Rubio, joined by newcomers McKenna Grace, Teo Briones, Freddy Carter, Theodus Crane, Wayne Knight, Skeet Ulrich, and others. The story builds on the horror franchise's lore of creepy robotic mascots turning deadly after dark.
Box Office Context
Despite lower expectations than the breakout first film, the sequel benefits from the series' fanbase. It faces competition from holdovers like 'Zootopia 2,' projected at $44 million to $50 million in its second weekend, and 'Wicked: For Good' at $21 million to $25 million. Other newcomers include 'Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution' ($8 million to $10 million) and re-releases like Quentin Tarantino's 'Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair' ($5 million to $10 million).