Horror Hits and Dino Dollars: ‘Weapons’ and ‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ Dominate Global Box Office

That familiar chill ran down my spine this weekend—not from a jump scare, but from watching Zach Cregger's “Weapons” slice through the competition like a well-sharpened blade. I've been around long enough to remember when horror was relegated to midnight screenings and modest hauls, but here we are in 2025, with Cregger's latest pulling in $70 million worldwide on debut. It's a reminder that smart, tight-budgeted frights can still pack a punch, especially when they echo the clever unease of films like “Smile” or “The Black Phone,” but with a fresh edge that feels earned.

Diving into the numbers, “Weapons” launched in 73 global markets, grabbing $42.5 million domestically and $27.5 million overseas. On a $38 million budget, that's already profitable territory, and the comparisons are telling: it's outpacing “Speak No Evil” by 164% in like-for-like markets, “Smile” by 77%, and others in that vein. Europe loved it, topping charts in the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Holland, and Poland—debuting ahead of “Sinners” by 33% and “Smile” by 46%. Latin America ranked it No. 1 regionally, though it trailed “Freakier Friday” in Mexico; still, it beat “The Black Phone” by 17%. Asia was strong too, with Indonesia claiming the top spot amid local horrors. Top overseas starts: UK at $3.6 million, Mexico $2.7 million, France $2 million, Australia $1.8 million, Spain $1.6 million. IMAX added $8.1 million worldwide, $1.9 million from overseas. This isn't just numbers; it's proof that horror's global appetite remains voracious, especially when marketed with those moody posters hinting at shadowy figures and fractured compositions that scream tension without spoiling the plot.

Then there's Disney's “Freakier Friday,” swapping bodies and grabbing laughs in 46 territories for $15.5 million overseas, pairing with $29 million domestic for a $44.5 million global bow. Budgeted at $42 million, it's off to a solid start, outperforming the 2003 “Freaky Friday” and 2024's “Mean Girls” in like markets. Latin America surprised, with Mexico at No. 1 ($2.8 million) thanks to talent junkets in Mexico City—Argentina, too. Europe saw it at No. 2 in the UK, No. 3 in Italy; Australia No. 2. Top markets: Mexico $2.8 million, UK $2.4 million, Australia $1.4 million, Argentina and Colombia $800K each. Yet to hit Korea, Japan, and smaller Asia spots, but the family-skewing vibe feels like a throwback to when comedies ruled summers, minus the bloat.

Marvel's “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” added $15.5 million domestic (60% drop in weekend three) and $17.5 million overseas (56% dip), totaling $230.4 million domestic and $434.2 million worldwide. Holding No. 1 in Brazil and Chile, it's the top superhero release of 2025 in Latin America. Top cumes: UK $25.5 million, Mexico $24.2 million, France $12.5 million, Brazil $11.6 million, Australia $9.7 million. Solid, but that drop reminds me of how superhero fatigue sets in—visually, the trailers promised cosmic spectacle, yet the box office suggests audiences are picking their battles.

“Superman” flew to $578.8 million worldwide after $7.8 million domestic and $5.8 million overseas, a 49% international drop. Top offshore: UK $35.2 million, Mexico $22.7 million, Brazil $16 million, Australia $15.4 million, France $14.7 million. Steady, like the Man of Steel himself, but in a year where capes aren't dominating as they once did.

Ah, but “Jurassic World Rebirth”—this one's roaring past $800 million worldwide today, with $16 million more overseas and $4.7 million domestic (46% drop in weekend six, even after PVOD launch on Tuesday). Costing $180 million—leaner than prior entries—it's profitable for Universal, and that overseas hold (50% drop) shows legs. Japan opened at $7.5 million, biggest studio three-day since “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” in 2023, in line with 2015's “Jurassic World.” It'll surpass lifetimes of “Gladiator II” and “Captain America: Brave New World” there soon, despite “Demon Slayer” competition. Top markets: China $78.1 million, UK $45.3 million, Mexico $35.3 million, Germany $30.5 million, France $26.6 million. PVOD hasn't hurt theaters, which bucks the trend I've griped about before—sometimes, dinosaurs just endure.

Staggered releases for “The Bad Guys 2” and “The Naked Gun” vary, but domestically, second weekends dropped 53% and 50%. “Bad Guys 2” at $83.9 million worldwide, adding $9.3 million overseas (-46%), cume $40.5 million international. Top: UK $9.9 million, France $4.7 million, Mexico $3.6 million, Spain $3.5 million, Korea $2 million. Still coming: Brazil, China, Italy, Germany, Australia.

“The Naked Gun” added $6.1 million overseas (-48%), international $23.4 million, global $56.4 million. Top: UK $5.9 million, Germany $4 million, Netherlands $1.3 million, Mexico $1.2 million, Austria $728K. France and Brazil next week, Australia August 21, Spain August 22.

Misc notables: “Smurfs” $4.1 million international weekend, $69.4 million overseas, $99.7 million global. “Materialists” $3 million international, $30.8 million overseas, $67.3 million global. “How to Train Your Dragon” $1.6 million international, $362 million overseas, $623.5 million global. “Bring Her Back” $1.5 million international, $13 million overseas, $32.3 million global. “I Know What You Did Last Summer” $1.1 million international, $31.2 million overseas, $62.6 million global. “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” $515K international, $398.2 million overseas, $595.6 million global.

It's a mixed bag—horror thriving on smarts, dinosaurs on nostalgia, comedies on regional charm. Makes you wonder if studios are finally learning to trim budgets without skimping on spectacle. Or maybe it's just another cycle.

Film	Domestic Weekend	% Change	Domestic Total	Overseas Weekend	% Change Overseas	Overseas Total	Worldwide Total
Weapons	$42.5M	Debut	$42.5M	$27.5M	Debut	$27.5M	$70M
Freakier Friday	$29M	Debut	$29M	$15.5M	Debut	$15.5M	$44.5M
The Fantastic Four: First Steps	$15.5M	-60%	$230.4M	$17.5M	-56%	$203.8M	$434.2M
Jurassic World Rebirth	$4.7M	-46%	$326.7M*	$16M	-50%	$473.2M	$799.9M
Superman	$7.8M	N/A	$331.2M*	$5.8M	-49%	$247.6M	$578.8M
The Bad Guys 2	N/A	-53%	$43.4M*	$9.3M	-46%	$40.5M	$83.9M
The Naked Gun	N/A	-50%	$33M*	$6.1M	-48%	$23.4M	$56.4M
Smurfs	N/A	N/A	$30.3M*	$4.1M	N/A	$69.4M	$99.7M
Materialists	N/A	N/A	$36.5M*	$3M	N/A	$30.8M	$67.3M
How to Train Your Dragon	N/A	N/A	$261.5M*	$1.6M	N/A	$362M	$623.5M

Box Office Bites: Key Hauls and Holds from This Weekend's Global Rundown

Weapons' Winning Debut: Zach Cregger's horror opener snagged $70 million worldwide, beating comps like “Smile” and “Speak No Evil” handily, signaling strong global appeal for budgeted scares.

Freakier Friday's Family Surge: Disney's comedy bowed at $44.5 million globally, overperforming in Latin America and outpacing its predecessors, with more Asian markets on deck.

Jurassic Milestone March: Hitting $800 million worldwide, “Rebirth” proves leaner costs pay off, especially with Japan's massive opening amid steady holds elsewhere.

Superhero Steady Drops: “Fantastic Four” and “Superman” added respectable sums but showed typical fatigue, with Latin America keeping the former afloat as 2025's top cape earner there.

Sequel Stagger Success: “Bad Guys 2” and “Naked Gun” navigated varied releases with solid holds, eyeing more territories like Australia on August 21 for the latter.

What do these numbers tell you about where cinema's heading? Drop your thoughts in the comments, share if you're catching any of these, and stick around Filmofilia for more breakdowns.