Overview
- Comscore puts October domestic grosses near $425 million, the weakest non‑pandemic October since 1997.
- Disney’s Tron: Ares led the month with about $63.4 million domestically, the lowest haul for an October No. 1 since 2005.
- Analysts point to strike-related production delays, scant September carryover, and Warner Bros. moving Mortal Kombat II to May 2026, which left a late‑October gap.
- Bright spots were limited to Black Phone 2 (about $52–53 million to date), Chainsaw Man opening at $18 million, and a one‑weekend Taylor Swift theatrical event at $34.2 million.
- Year‑to‑date box office remains roughly 3.3% ahead of 2024, increasing pressure on titles such as Wicked: For Good, Zootopia 2 and Avatar: Fire and Ash to lift the final stretch.