The Scary Movie 2026 box office debut exceeded expectations at the domestic level and abroad. The sixth installment in the franchise earned $55 million domestically in its opening weekend. Moreover, it pulled in $50.5 million from more than 50 international territories. Furthermore, the combined global haul reached $105.5 million, making it one of the strongest comedy openings of the year.
Paramount and Miramax produced the film, which director Michael Tiddes brought back to life after more than a decade away. Anna Faris and Regina Hall both return to the franchise. Additionally, the Wayans brothers appear for the first time since the original era, marking the first time in over two decades the series has reunited its key creative voices. Consequently, the film landed with audiences who grew up on the originals while also connecting strongly with younger viewers.
Who showed up and why they came
The Scary Movie 2026 box office audience breakdown tells a clear story about the film’s reach. The split between men and women was nearly even at 55 percent male and 45 percent female. Moreover, the film leaned heavily toward younger audiences, with 62 percent of ticket buyers under the age of 30. Furthermore, the R-rated comedy sends up horror movie tropes, popular culture, and current events in the tradition that made the original franchise a phenomenon.
The film includes a spoof of Jordan Peele’s Get Out among its targets, a connection that generated significant pre-release buzz. Additionally, Peele himself was reportedly approached for a cameo but declined. Consequently, the film’s willingness to engage with current horror culture rather than just nostalgia helped it connect with a generation that did not see the original films in theaters.
Masters of the Universe opens at $29.3M
Masters of the Universe landed in second place with $29.3 million domestically in its opening weekend. Amazon MGM Studios and Mattel Films produced the film, which Travis Knight directed. Nicholas Galitzine stars as Prince Adam, the character better known as He-Man, alongside Jared Leto as Skeletor, Camila Mendes as Teela, Idris Elba as Duncan and Man-at-Arms, and Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn.
The film opened on 3,677 screens and earned a B CinemaScore with a Metacritic score of 54. Moreover, the audience skewed heavily male at 66 percent. Furthermore, the largest demographic was the 45 to 54 age group, making up 29 percent of ticket buyers, a clear reflection of the nostalgia driving interest in the original animated series that ran from 1983 to 1985.
Amazon MGM Studios head of domestic theatrical distribution Kevin Wilson pointed to the opening as a validation of the studio’s distribution strategy. He described it as a critical first moment that builds awareness and engagement extending well beyond the theatrical window. Additionally, the international performance for Masters has not yet been fully reported. Consequently, its full global trajectory will become clearer in the days ahead.
Backrooms makes A24 history in week two
Backrooms landed in third place with $25.9 million in its second weekend of release, a result that made history for its studio. The $10 million horror film, based on director Kane Parsons’ viral YouTube short film series, became the highest-grossing title in A24’s history. Moreover, it surpassed the previous record held by the Timothée Chalamet-starring Marty Supreme. Furthermore, Backrooms now sits at $212 million globally despite a 70 percent decline in domestic ticket sales from its opening weekend.
Obsession, Focus Features’ horror thriller from director Curry Barker, took fourth place with $25.6 million. The film dropped only 7 percent from its previous weekend, an extraordinary hold for any theatrical release. Moreover, Obsession has now achieved something only E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial has done since 1982, recording second and third weekends larger than its opening. Furthermore, its domestic total reached $152 million and the film is on track to cross $200 million globally by the end of the current weekend.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter / Mia Galuppo
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