Halloween 2025 Box Office Hits 30-Year Low Amid Competing Events

The Halloween weekend of 2025 marked the quietest film-going period of the year, with total box office receipts around $49 million. The top earner was "Black Phone 2," which brought in $7.6 million during its third weekend, while "Regretting You," based on Colleen Hoover's novel, saw a second-place finish with $6.7 million. Factors contributing to the low turnout included Halloween falling on a Friday, the final World Series game, and a lack of major new releases, as well as audience fatigue with certain titles like Netflix's "KPop Demon Hunters." Additionally, the weekend's lineup showcased a mix of nostalgia and new content, including re-releases like "Back to the Future" and fresh releases such as Yorgos Lanthimos's "Bugonia." Industry analysis suggests this lull represents a strategic recalibration by studios, which are increasingly relying on data-driven release timing to optimize audience engagement and digital synergy rather than indicating a decline in cinema interest. Overall, this period reflects a broader trend toward hybrid storytelling and seasonal theater attendance adapting to changing viewer habits.