Warner Bros.’ latest mystery horror film Weapons has stormed the global box office, debuting with an impressive $70 million worldwide. Directed by Zach Cregger, best known for his breakout success with Barbarian, the film has not only exceeded industry projections but has also cemented itself as one of the biggest original horror openings in recent years.
The movie opened at number one in the United States with a powerful $42.5 million over its first three days. This marks the third-largest opening for an original horror film post-Covid, trailing only Jordan Peele’s Nope at $44.4 million and Sinners at $48 million. It also stands as the third-largest horror debut of 2025, just behind Sinners and Final Destination: Bloodlines at $51.6 million. Internationally, Weapons generated a strong $27.5 million over its five-day opening, outperforming comparable genre hits such as Nope, Smile, and Scream VI.
With a modest $38 million production budget, the film’s debut signals a highly profitable run ahead. Critical reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with an 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and an A- CinemaScore—rare achievements for a horror release. The film’s IMAX screenings contributed 15% of the domestic gross, signaling strong interest in premium viewing formats.
Warner Bros. is enjoying an extraordinary year at the box office. Weapons marks the studio’s seventh number-one debut in 2025 and their sixth consecutive release to open above $40 million, a record never before achieved in Hollywood. This streak includes Minecraft, Sinners, Final Destination: Bloodlines, F1, Superman, and now Weapons. Half of these major openings are original productions, showing the studio’s ability to draw audiences without relying solely on established franchises.
Weapons tells the story of a baffling case involving seventeen children from the same classroom who vanish overnight, seemingly abducted by an unseen force. Starring Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, and Benedict Wong, the film blends mystery, tension, and horror in a way that has resonated strongly with audiences.
Given its stellar debut and word-of-mouth momentum, Weapons is poised to cross $200 million globally, solidifying Zach Cregger’s position as one of the most exciting voices in modern horror filmmaking.
