Weapons and Freakier Friday Fuel Yet Another Strong Box Office Weekend | Weekend of August 8th, 2025

The box office continues its impressive run, delivering another strong weekend with a solid +11% increase from the previous week. The momentum is undeniable, with the total box office now sitting at $5.5 Billion, a healthy +7% ahead of last year.

This weekend was particularly exciting, with two new titles making a huge splash. Weapons, an original horror film, had an outstanding debut, pulling in $43.5M and representing 33% of the dollars and 30% of admissions. Its success is a fantastic sign in a landscape often dominated by established franchises, and glowing reviews suggest it will have a strong run.

Also new this weekend, Freakier Friday delivered a very healthy opening with 2.8M tickets sold (26% of admissions) and $28.5M in revenue (22% of the dollars). The 22-year gap between installments makes this a surprisingly strong return for the property, showing that nostalgia and a great cast can create a hit that appeals to a multi-generational audience.

Another new entry, Sketch, a family-friendly fantasy/comedy from Angel Studios, has been praised as a “Spielberg-esque” adventure. While its initial box office numbers were more modest, its strong reception on Rotten Tomatoes (97%) and Angel Studios’ community-based marketing approach could help it build momentum in the coming weeks.

Familiar characters continue to perform well, with The Fantastic Four: First Steps adding another $16M in its third weekend, pushing its domestic total past $225M. Globally, it is closing in on the $500M mark, solidifying its status as one of the year’s top-performing tentpoles.

The performance this weekend once again highlights the box office’s ability to offer a diverse mix of content, from original horror and a decades-later sequel to superhero blockbusters and comedies. This balanced slate, with something for everyone, is a winning formula for theatrical success.

Looking Ahead:

This coming weekend brings some intriguing new titles to the big screen. Nobody 2 debuts, bringing back Bob Odenkirk's popular family-man-turned-assassin role. While it's unlikely to unseat Weapons, its cult following and Odenkirk’s growing action-hero credentials should ensure a solid opening.

Also premiering is Spike Lee’s latest, Highest 2 Lowest, with Denzel Washington as the lead. Though it's opening in limited release, strong early reviews could help it build momentum.

Finally, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 35th Anniversary re-release offers a dose of nostalgia for fans and a welcome family-friendly option during a quieter period for that genre.

How many tickets will be sold this coming weekend? Find out on our next Cinema Ranker and follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date with the cinema industry and The Marketing Cloud to unlock AI-driven solutions across market research, comms, creative, and media.

To learn more about The People Platform's Audience Measurement, click here.