Halloween Marks Worst Box Office Weekend in Over 30 Years
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the entertainment industry, leaving it struggling to recover fully. As studios shorten theatrical windows and favor streaming releases, audiences are now accustomed to watching movies at home. This trend has severely impacted box office revenue, with the latest Halloween weekend showing a notable decline in ticket sales.
Halloween Weekend Records Worst Box Office Performance in Over 30 Years
This Halloween weekend, box office earnings were estimated at $49.8 million, marking the lowest figures in 2025. According to The Hollywood Reporter, this weekend stands out not only for 2025 but also as the worst box office weekend in 31 years. The last time figures were this low was in 1993, which generated an unadjusted total of $49.2 million.
Top Earners of the Weekend
- Regretting You – $8.1 million
- Black Phone 2 – $8 million
Moreover, this Halloween weekend has closed out what Variety describes as the worst October in box office history, totaling only $425 million. The previous record for October was set in 1997, with earnings at $385 million (unadjusted for inflation).
Factors Contributing to the Decline
Three major factors contributed to this disappointing performance:
- No significant new movie releases.
- Halloween falling on a Friday, which diverted families to festivities instead of theaters.
- The Major League Baseball championship drew audiences away from cinemas.
Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trend at Comscore, emphasizes the need for strong projects to revive the industry. He noted, “The industry is in dire need of a boost following this slow, Halloween-impacted weekend.” The box office needs a revitalization, especially after a quiet period following the summer season.
Upcoming Major Releases
Fortunately, several major films are expected to debut soon, which could help reinvigorate box office sales. Upcoming titles include:
- Predator: Badlands (November 7)
- The Running Man (November 14)
- Wicked: For Good (November 21)
- Zootopia 2 (November 26)
- Avatar: Fire and Ash (December 19)
These films, especially Wicked, Zootopia 2, and Avatar: Fire and Ash, are anticipated to make a significant impact at the box office, potentially reversing the recent downward trend.
