Black Phone 2 Rings Up Big Box Office & Heads for Streaming Soon

Blumhouse's chilling horror sequel, Black Phone 2, has officially crossed the $100 million mark globally and is reportedly gearing up for a digital streaming release very soon. Get ready for more scares from the Grabber!

TL;DR: Quick Scares for Busy Schedules

• Global Box Office Hit: Black Phone 2 has surpassed $104 million worldwide, a major win for Blumhouse.
• Reported Streaming Date: It's expected to hit digital platforms like Apple TV and Prime Video on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
• Spooky Story Continues: The sequel sees Finn and Gwen confront the Grabber's malevolent spirit from beyond the grave in a new, chilling winter camp setting.

Black Phone 2's Impressive Box Office Performance: A Win for Blumhouse

Talk about a killer comeback! Black Phone 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2021/2022 horror hit, has been making serious noise at the global box office. As of its third weekend, which included the Halloween festivities, the film officially rang up a staggering $104.7 million worldwide. This is a huge win for Blumhouse and Universal, especially after a somewhat "boo-ring" Halloween weekend for some other releases.

The film's international appeal is clear, pulling in $43.3 million from offshore markets alone. While that's about 10% below what the first movie did at the same point, it still shows a strong following for the franchise outside of North America. Here are some of the top international markets that answered the call for more horror:

• Mexico: $9.8 million
• UK: $4.3 million
• Brazil: $3 million
• Australia: $2.3 million
• France: $1.7 million

With a reported production budget of just $30 million (before marketing, of course), hitting over $100 million globally makes Black Phone 2 a certified success. It's officially Blumhouse's biggest movie of 2025 so far, providing a much-needed boost after a year with a few "misses" for the studio. Fans and industry watchers alike are celebrating this one!

Diving Deep into the Chilling Narrative of the Sequel

If you loved the first Black Phone, get ready for an even more supernatural ride. Set in 1982, four years after the terrifying events of the original, Black Phone 2 picks up with Finney Blake (Mason Thames), now 17, still grappling with the trauma of his captivity. But this time, it's his headstrong 15-year-old sister, Gwen (Madeleine McGraw), who takes center stage with her psychic abilities.

Gwen starts getting calls in her dreams from the mysterious black phone, along with disturbing visions of three boys being stalked at a remote winter camp called Alpine Lake. Determined to end the torment for both herself and her brother, she persuades Finn to visit the camp during a harsh winter storm. It's there that they uncover a shocking connection between the infamous Grabber and their own family's dark history.

The villainous Grabber, portrayed by the incredible Ethan Hawke, returns to menace the siblings from beyond the grave, seemingly more powerful in death. The film shifts the narrative from the more grounded thriller of its predecessor to embrace a full-on fantastical horror atmosphere, leaning into the supernatural aspects of its premise. Director Scott Derrickson successfully crafts a nightmarish world, distinguishing dream sequences with grainy, old-school camera cinematography, complete with intense contrast and shaky movement.

The Talented Cast Bringing the Scares to Life: Returning Favorites

The sequel brings back its core cast, ensuring continuity and allowing fans to dive deeper into the characters they know and... well, fear for:

• Ethan Hawke as The Grabber
• Mason Thames as Finn Blake
• Madeleine McGraw as Gwen Blake
• Demián Bichir (role not specified in provided articles, but listed in cast)
• Miguel Mora as Ernesto (younger brother of one of the Grabber's previous victims)
• Jeremy Davies as the siblings' alcoholic father
• Arianna Rivas (role not specified in provided articles, but listed in cast)

Behind the Scenes: McGraw & Hawke's First Shared Moments

One of the most exciting developments for fans of the first film is the expanded role for Madeleine McGraw as Gwen. In The Black Phone, her character and Ethan Hawke's Grabber never actually shared a scene, despite being central to the plot. That all changed for the sequel!

McGraw, who is just 16 years old, had the opportunity to film extensively alongside Hawke for Black Phone 2. She described the experience as "incredible," highlighting the unique energy and craft that Hawke brings to his roles. For a young actor, this was clearly a significant learning experience that she believes will stay with her throughout her career.

"Working closely with the veteran actor, she said, gave her a whole new appreciation for the craft and energy he brings to every scene. McGraw added that seeing how Hawke approaches his roles was a learning experience that will stay with her throughout her career."

— Madeleine McGraw on working with Ethan Hawke in Black Phone 2

Critical Reception: A Mixed Bag of Chills and Critiques

When it comes to how the critics and audiences are feeling about Black Phone 2, it's a bit of a mixed bag, which is pretty common for horror sequels. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a "fresh" rating of 73% from critics based on 161 reviews. The critical consensus suggests it's a "chilling sequel that mines memorable scares and thought-provoking themes from the scars that linger." Audiences, however, seem to love it even more, giving it an impressive 84% "fresh" Popcornmeter score from over 2,500 verified user ratings.

However, not all reviews were glowing. Some critics felt the film was "starved-for-scares" and went "around in circles," while others noted that "not every great movie deserves a sequel," finding this follow-up "contrived" and "logic-free." Points of contention included inconsistent dialogue, a "lackadaisical attitude" toward character depth, and some narrative choices that felt reminiscent of other horror classics like A Nightmare on Elm Street or Friday the 13th without quite matching their impact.

Despite these critiques, many acknowledged director Scott Derrickson's showmanship and the film's ability to deliver some solid chills, especially for Halloween weekend. The aesthetic choices for nightmare sequences, mimicking grainy VHS footage, were particularly highlighted as a strength, even if some felt they were overused.

When and Where to Catch Black Phone 2 From Your Couch

Alright, horror fans, here's the burning question: when can you watch Black Phone 2 from the comfort (or discomfort!) of your own home? While Universal Pictures hasn't made an official announcement yet, reports suggest the film is expected to arrive on PVOD (Premium Video On Demand) on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

You'll likely find it on major digital platforms such as:

• Apple TV
• Fandango at Home
• Prime Video
• YouTube

Currently, Prime Video has the film available for pre-order to purchase for $24.99. Based on typical PVOD pricing, you can probably expect to rent Black Phone 2 for a 48-hour period for around $19.99. Just remember, while these reports are usually pretty accurate, the date is subject to change until Universal makes it official. Keep your eyes peeled and your phones close... but maybe don't answer if it rings black!

FAQ: All Your Burning Black Phone 2 Questions Answered

Got more questions about the Grabber's latest terror? We've got you covered!

Is Black Phone 2 a direct sequel to The Black Phone? Yes, it is! Black Phone 2 continues the story of Finney and Gwen Blake, set four years after the events of the original 2021/2022 film.

When was Black Phone 2 released in theaters? The film hit theaters on October 17, 2025.

Where can I watch Black Phone 2 online? Black Phone 2 is reportedly coming to PVOD platforms like Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and YouTube on November 4, 2025. Universal has not yet officially confirmed this date.

What is Black Phone 2 rated? The film is rated R.

Sources:

• Deadline: Nancy Tartaglione, "‘Black Phone 2’ Hops Up The Oz Chart To Become Australia’s Highest-Grossing Local Film Of 2025" (November 2, 2025)
• Forbes: Tim Lammers, "Horror Hit ‘Black Phone 2’ Gets Streaming Date, Report Says" (October 30, 2025)
• Hollywood Outbreak: A.C., "McGraw & Hawke Get More Time In ‘Black Phone 2’" (October 30, 2025)
• The Indian Express: Shalini Langer, "Black Phone 2 movie review: A starved-for-scares horror film" (October 31, 2025)
• The Maui News: Barry Wurst II, "‘Black Phone 2’ is tense but unsteady Halloween fodder" (October 31, 2025)
• The Triangle: Zayne Foster, "‘Black Phone 2’ rings loudly, but not clearly" (October 31, 2025)
• The Lion's Roar: Sean Hoffman, "Black Phone 2 rings true as cold and clever sequel" (October 31, 2025)
• KoiMoi: Pranshu Awasthi, "Black Phone 2 Worldwide Box Office: Inches Away From Its Next 2025 Milestone" (November 1, 2025)
• Newslink: Ryan Scott, "Black Phone 2 Worldwide Box Office: Crosses The $80 Million Mark" (undated, content suggests around late Oct 2025)