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LOS ANGELES – In a compelling box office showdown, New Line Cinema’s R-rated horror epic “Weapons” has secured the top spot in its domestic debut, fending off a strong challenge from Disney’s highly anticipated sequel, “Freakier Friday.” The results mark a vibrant weekend for theaters as the summer movie season begins to wind down.

“Weapons,” from writer-director Zach Cregger, stormed out of the gate with an impressive $18.2 million on Friday, according to Variety. The film finished the weekend with an estimated $46.5 million haul, exceeding industry projections. The robust opening further solidifies Cregger’s status as a formidable new voice in horror, following his 2022 breakout hit, “Barbarian.”

Meanwhile, “Freakier Friday,” which reunites stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan for the first time in over two decades, proved nostalgia is still a powerful draw. The family-friendly comedy opened with a solid $12.7 million on Friday and is projected to have earned a commendable $38 million for the weekend, landing it comfortably in second place.

Horror's Winning Streak Continues

The success of “Weapons” is a significant victory for original, director-driven horror. The film, which stars Pedro Pascal in a leading role, was marketed on its mysterious plot and Cregger's distinctive brand of suspense and terror. Its R-rating did little to deter audiences, who have consistently shown up for elevated horror titles.

Studio executives at Warner Bros., which distributes New Line’s films, are celebrating the result. It demonstrates that a compelling concept and a trusted filmmaker can create an event film without relying on existing intellectual property. The film's strong critical reception and positive audience scores suggest it may have strong legs in the coming weeks.

“This is a fantastic result that speaks to Zach Cregger’s unique vision,” said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore. “To open an original R-rated horror film at this level in a competitive marketplace is a testament to both the genre's strength and the film's quality. It proves that audiences are hungry for fresh ideas.”

Nostalgia Powers 'Freakier Friday' to Strong Debut

While it didn’t claim the top spot, Disney has ample reason to be pleased with the performance of “Freakier Friday.” The film successfully leveraged the potent combination of a beloved property and the return of its original stars. Its PG-rating and lighthearted tone provided effective counter-programming to the intensity of “Weapons,” attracting a completely different demographic.

The sequel’s debut is a resounding success for both Curtis and Lohan, demonstrating their enduring appeal. For Disney, it validates the strategy of reviving popular legacy titles for a new generation while satisfying long-time fans. The film targeted families and women over 25, a segment that turned out in significant numbers over the weekend.

The box office duel highlights a healthy market capable of supporting two major, yet tonally opposite, new releases. The combined grosses of the top two films injected much-needed revenue into the late-summer box office. Other films holding their ground in the top five include Universal's animated holdover "Cosmic Critters" and Sony's action-thriller "Downshift," now in its third week.

As August continues, the industry will watch to see how "Weapons" and "Freakier Friday" hold up against a new slate of competitors. For now, their shared success story is a clear win for movie theaters and a sign of audience appetite for a diverse range of cinematic experiences.