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'Good Boy' Indie Horror Surprises with Canine Lead's Breakout Success
5 Oct
Summary
- Independent horror film 'Good Boy' exceeds expectations with strong opening
- Movie features a dog named Indy as the lead character, a first for the genre
- Film earns nearly $1 million on its opening day across 1,600 theaters

The independent horror film 'Good Boy' has emerged as a surprise hit, defying expectations with its strong box office performance. Directed by Ben Leonberg, the movie features a dog named Indy, Leonberg's own pet, as the lead character—a first for the horror genre.
Prior to its release on Friday, the film had already generated significant buzz online, with a spike in searches about whether the dog protagonist would survive the story's unsettling events. Viewers seemed captivated by the idea of a horror narrative told from a canine perspective.
On its opening day, 'Good Boy' managed to collect nearly $1 million across approximately 1,600 theaters in North America, placing it at number seven on the domestic daily box office chart. While the total may seem modest compared to major studio releases, the numbers represent a remarkable achievement for a film of its scale and limited release.
The strong response has turned 'Good Boy' into one of the most talked-about horror films of the season, with projections indicating it could earn at least $2.25 million over its opening weekend. This would secure its place as one of the most profitable releases under the Shudder/IFC banner, the distributors behind the film's release.