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Black Phone 2 Opens With Strong Reviews and Solid Early Box Office

The sequel pivots to a gorier, dream-driven R-rated chapter led by older protagonists.

Overview

  • Universal and Blumhouse released the Scott Derrickson–directed sequel in theaters on Oct. 17, with Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw and Ethan Hawke returning.
  • Thursday night previews reached $2.625 million, with opening-weekend projections in the roughly $18 million to $29 million range against a reported $30 million budget.
  • Reviews broadly commend the film’s striking visuals, immersive sound design and central performances, while noting uneven pacing, clunky dialogue and some late-act issues.
  • The story picks up four years after the original, reframing the Grabber as a supernatural, dream-invading menace as the siblings’ teen years raise the stakes without revealing key plot turns.
  • Derrickson has said he aged the characters to make a more intense, gory R-rated film, and both Joe Hill and Ethan Hawke have expressed interest in a possible third installment, with no sequel announced.