Weapons Wins Box Office Comedy Follows Close Behind

Photo: AP

This weekend, movie fans were treated to a unique pair of films—one spooky, one funny—that brought crowds back to theatres in droves. Let’s break down what happened:

1. Weapons Takes the Crown
The surprise winner at the box office is the horror movie Weapons, directed by Zach Cregger. In its opening weekend, it earned $42.5 million in North America from 3,202 theaters. That’s a big win for Cregger, especially since it follows his cult hit Barbarian.

Worldwide, the movie reached $70 million in total, showing strong global appeal.

Warner Bros. Is on a Roll
This success gives Warner Bros. its seventh Number One opening of the year—and for the sixth time in a row, one of its films debuted with over $40 million. That’s rare and impressive.

Industry analysts say the movie’s success is also due to its viral marketing and social media buzz. The film kept fans talking—online and at the theater.

2. Freakier Friday Plays Second
Close behind is Freakier Friday, a new comedy from Disney. It earned $29 million in North America during its first weekend in 3,975 theaters.

This movie brings back familiar faces—Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis—in another round of their classic body-swapping antics. This time, it gets even more complicated as Lohan pulls off a “double swap” with her teen daughter and soon-to-be stepdaughter.

Why Two Very Different Films Worked

• What’s special about this weekend is how different these films are—and yet both captured audience attention:
• Weapons brings horror and mystery with a touch of dark humor.
• Freakier Friday offers feel-good family comedy with a fresh twist.
• Because both films sparked social media talk, people watched actors transform on screen—and then shared their reactions online, giving both films a boost.

Here’s a Peek at the Story Behind Weapons
Weapons takes place in a small town called Maybrook. One night, 17 children vanish at exactly 2:17 a.m., leaving their worried parents behind. The story mixes horror, paranoia, and existential dark humor to explore trauma and mystery.

This film builds on Cregger’s work from Barbarian, which earned praise for its fresh take on horror—even if it started quietly, it grew in popularity over time.

What Do the Numbers Say?
Here’s how the top films stacked up for the weekend in North America:

Rank    Movie    Weekend Earnings (USD)
1    Weapons    $42.5 million
2    Freakier Friday    $29 million
3    The Fantastic Four: First Steps    $15.5 million
4    The Bad Guys 2    $10.4 million
5    The Naked Gun (new)    $8.4 million

These results show that the public still has a strong appetite for both horror and light-hearted entertainment—even as other genres like superhero movies face steep competition.

What’s Next at the Box Office?
Warner Bros. has had a tough start to the year but is now seeing a big comeback. Films like A Minecraft Movie, Sinners, Superman, and now Weapons are helping them lead the summer lineup.

Other upcoming films movie fans are watching include:

• Nobody 2
• Caught Stealing
• The Roses

These new releases will test whether audiences stay excited or move on.

• Weapons shocked the box office with its mix of mystery and horror, winning over $42 million in its debut weekend.
• Freakier Friday charmed viewers with nostalgia and comedy, securing $29 million.
• Warner Bros. is riding a wave of success, with six out of seven top openings over $40 million.
• This weekend reminds the world that diverse genres still thrive—and both scares and laughs can be a winning formula.