Horror Sequel Stumbles at Box Office as Genre Soars

As of September 28th, 2025, the horror sequel The Strangers: Chapter 2 has opened to weak box office numbers, struggling to replicate the success of the genre in 2025. The film, released by Lionsgate, is estimated to have earned around $5.5 million over its opening weekend, falling far short of the $12 million debut of the previous installment in 2024.

The new chapter in the Strangers franchise has also received poor reviews, holding a 16% score on Rotten Tomatoes. This mirrors the earlier complaints about weak storytelling and lack of scares that plagued the first reboot film.

While The Strangers 2 barely cracks the top five at the weekend box office, the broader horror landscape has been thriving in 2025. Warner Bros. has dominated the genre with a series of massive hits, including Sinners ($360 million worldwide), Weapons ($260 million), Final Destination Bloodlines ($300 million), and The Conjuring: Last Rites ($400 million). These successes have further strengthened horror's position as a reliable box office draw.

In contrast, Lionsgate has struggled to find consistent success, with The Strangers 2 joining the studio's earlier release The Long Walk, which has collected around $33 million globally. The new Strangers sequel appears unlikely to make much of an impact, leaving Lionsgate searching for its next horror breakout as the genre continues to flourish.