Weapons, directed by Zach Cregger, debuted to a robust opening weekend box office of approximately $42.5 million USD, marking a significant milestone for Warner Bros. This performance represents the studio’s sixth consecutive film to launch above $40 million, an unprecedented record in its history according to industry reports.
Initially projected to gross between $40 million and $43 million over its first weekend, Weapons outperformed expectations following a strong Friday take of $18.2 million, which included $5.7 million from Thursday previews. The film’s narrative centers on a small town shaken by the mysterious simultaneous disappearance of seventeen children from the same classroom, featuring an ensemble cast including Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Benedict Wong, Cary Christopher, and Amy Madigan. Released by Warner Bros. Pictures on August 8, 2025, the movie has been noted for its mix of mystery and horror elements, and it generated widespread attention soon after its release.
The film has rapidly achieved substantial box office success, surpassing $60 million domestically and accumulating over $40 million internationally, resulting in a global total exceeding $101 million within its first week. This places Weapons among the very few original horror movies in 2025 to reach this threshold, alongside titles such as 28 Years Later, Final Destination: Bloodlines, and Sinners. It also represents a remarkable increase over Cregger’s prior hit Barbarian, which earned $45.3 million worldwide throughout its entire run.
Industry insiders have highlighted Weapons as a rare success outside of established franchises, emphasizing its significance for the horror genre and original screenplays in the current market environment. The film’s production budget reportedly stood at $38 million, indicating it has already recouped its costs and is profitable in theaters. Discussions have even begun about potential expansions in the form of a prequel, particularly exploring the character of Aunt Gladys, though these remain speculative at this stage.
The sustained momentum for Weapons underscores Warner Bros.’ strong slate in 2025, which also includes other major openings and franchises, and suggests an encouraging appetite among audiences for innovative horror offerings. As the film continues its theatrical run, its performance sets a benchmark for both Zach Cregger as a director and for original horror films achieving mainstream financial viability.