“You” & “Phone” Fight For Box-Office Scraps

Key Takeaways:

• This Halloween weekend’s box-office returns are reported as the worst in more than 30 years (excluding the pandemic period).
• Paramount’s romance-drama “Regretting You” claims $8.1 million in its second weekend.
• Universal’s “Black Phone 2,” in its third weekend, follows closely with $8 million.
• Both studios argue over which film truly took the top spot.

Box-Office Blues for Halloween Weekend

The Halloween weekend has witnessed what many are calling the worst box-office performance in over three decades, ignoring the extraordinary impact of pandemic years. Paramount and Universal have found themselves embroiled in a friendly spat over which studio can claim the top spot, a distinction that carries extra weight in a week when incremental gains are invaluable.

Paramount’s “Regretting You” Narrowly Leads

Paramount’s romance-drama “Regretting You” is taking a modest but important victory lap. According to the studio, the film earned $8.1 million in its second weekend. That number, while far from blockbuster territory, is enough for Paramount to assert it has bested its nearest competitor, Universal.

Universal’s “Black Phone 2” Close Behind

Hot on Paramount’s heels is Universal’s horror sequel “Black Phone 2,” which crept to an $8 million haul during its third weekend. A mere $100,000 difference separates “Black Phone 2” from “Regretting You,” fueling a debate over who truly rules this low-revenue Halloween frame.

The Ongoing Debate Over the Title

Both studios lay claim to the top slot in a Halloween season so subdued that every dollar counts. Universal touts the film’s consistency over three weekends, while Paramount emphasizes the momentum of a strong second-week finish. Whichever way the numbers ultimately go, the takeaway is unanimous: it was a notably underwhelming Halloween box office, with both films fighting for what critics have dubbed “box-office scraps.”