The horror film Weapons has achieved remarkable box office success, surpassing Liam Neeson‘s 1999 film The Haunting by reaching $200 million worldwide as of Monday. After opening to positive reviews, Weapons maintained strong momentum entering its third week in theaters, solidifying its impact on the summer box office season and revitalizing interest in big-screen horror films.
Box Office Milestones and Industry Comparisons
With $115 million earned domestically and an additional $83 million from international markets, Weapons has accumulated a global total of $199 million, edging past The Haunting’s $180 million gross. The Haunting, directed by Jan de Bont and featuring Liam Neeson, cost nearly double the budget of Weapons, which reportedly had a production cost of approximately $40 million. Weapons was directed by Zach Cregger, who previously directed the horror hit Barbarian, a film that grossed around $50 million worldwide and received widespread acclaim. In comparison, Weapons’ earnings are four times higher and it currently holds a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Weapons is inspired by elements from Paul Thomas Anderson’s film Magnolia and is structured in six interconnected chapters. The film stars Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Benjamin Wong, and Amy Madigan. It follows a recent trend of ambitious horror blockbusters, joining Warner Bros.’ lineup after successes like Sinners, which grossed over $360 million worldwide, and Final Destination Bloodlines, which accumulated more than $280 million globally.
Horror Genre’s Revival After a Weak Period
The current success of Weapons marks a significant turnaround for the horror genre, which experienced a disappointing 2024 prior to this release. The film was highly sought after in development, sparking a bidding war that involved Jordan Peele, who ultimately did not win the rights to the script. Director Zach Cregger has now firmly established his reputation among contemporary horror filmmakers, alongside names such as Osgood Perkins, who is set to release a third hit following the success of Longlegs and The Monkey.
Contextualizing Weapons’ Place Among Horror Films
Weapons not only outperformed Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu and Ridley Scott’s Alien but also surpassed other notable genre entries such as the original Paranormal Activity. The film’s modest budget combined with its layered narrative and strong cast has contributed to reigniting mainstream enthusiasm for theatrical horror. The participation of actors like Catherine Zeta-Jones and Owen Wilson in The Haunting adds to the comparison between the two films’ different approaches and reception, highlighting Weapons’ emergence as a standout production of this year’s film slate.
The film remains available in theaters and continues to attract audiences, indicating a sustained appetite for well-crafted horror stories. Its commercial and critical achievements suggest that horror movies with innovative storytelling and distinctive direction will continue to find success at the box office.
