Box Office Update: ‘Black Phone 2’ Opens Strong, ‘Tron: Ares’ and ‘One Battle After Another’ Show Mixed Results

Blumhouse’s ‘Black Phone 2’ launched with a solid $42 million globally, including $15.5 million from international markets, outperforming its predecessor and other recent releases like ‘Sinners’ and ‘Smile 2’ in key regions. The Ethan Hawke-led horror sequel, directed by Scott Derrickson, topped charts in Mexico with $4.3 million and secured strong performances in the UK ($1.48 million), Brazil ($1.2 million), and Australia ($908,000). Meanwhile, Disney’s ‘Tron: Ares’ added $14.1 million internationally in its second weekend, reaching a global total of $103 million but underperforming expectations, particularly in China with a $2.8 million debut. Warner Bros’ ‘One Battle After Another,’ directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, continued its strong run, earning $11.8 million internationally for a global cume of $162.5 million, with key markets including the UK ($13 million) and France ($10.1 million). Universal’s ‘Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie’ grossed $6.8 million internationally, hitting $28.2 million overseas, with notable openings in the UK and Spain. Other films like ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ and ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle’ also contributed to a diverse box office landscape, reflecting varied audience preferences across genres.