Core Insights - "Five Nights at Freddy's 2" achieved $63 million in ticket sales during its opening weekend, significantly exceeding expectations and marking the largest opening ever for the weekend after Thanksgiving [1][2][3] Box Office Performance - The sequel's opening is the biggest for a PG-13 rated movie in 2023 and the second largest horror opening, following "The Conjuring: Last Rites" [2] - The film's production cost was reported at $36 million, indicating a strong potential for profitability given its opening performance [4] Audience Reception - Despite negative reviews, with 70% of ticket buyers indicating they would "definitely" recommend the film to friends, showcasing the loyalty of the horror fanbase [5] - The teen video gamer demographic is highlighted as a significant audience that can drive box office success when the right film is presented [6] Industry Impact - The success of "Five Nights at Freddy's 2" contributed to the largest first weekend post-Thanksgiving for the industry, countering the prevailing negative sentiment about the box office [3] - The overall domestic box office for the year surpassed $8 billion, with the industry needing strong performances from upcoming films to reach the $9 billion threshold [10][11] Other Notable Releases - "Zootopia 2" secured second place with $43 million in its second weekend, contributing to Disney's total global box office exceeding $5 billion for the year [7] - "Wicked: For Good" and "Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution" also performed well, with respective earnings of $16.8 million and $10.2 million [8]