Image: Universal Pictures
Five Nights at Freddy’s had the second-largest debut for a game adaptation, just behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
The Five Nights at Freddy’s movie adaptation might have proven divisive among critics, but its massive box office and streaming debut has made it a success for studios regardless The movie launched on Peacock’s streaming service on the same day it hit theatres everywhere, but it looks like viewers came out in masses to watch it on the big screen if these numbers are anything to go by.
Five Nights at Freddy’s breaks records left and right
According to Variety, the movie raked in $132 million from the global box office during its opening weekend against a budget of $20 million, making its money back and then some. That would be an achievement for any movie at the tail end of their run, but this movie has managed to do it in its debut weekend alone and with a hybrid release, no less.
Five Nights at Freddy’s has also officially scooped the second-largest debut of all time for a game adaptation, trailing behind The Super Mario Bros. Movie ($146.3 million). The Mario brothers are tough to beat, but it should be noted that their movie also debuted earlier this year, suggesting that viewer appetites for cinematic game adaptations are on the rise. The movie also scored the best debut ever for a PG-13 horror film, outpacing The Mummy Returns ($68 million) and was the highest-grossing Blumhouse opening of all time ahead of Halloween ($91.8 million).
The movie also managed to be the most-watched title on Peacock in its first five days, breaking yet another record for streaming. Its success will likely generate a sequel in no time at Blumhouse and Universal, and will likely get both studios to start looking into other adaptations of a similar vein. There are plenty of horror games out there ripe for the picking, though none of them seem to have a fanbase quite as passionate as Five Nights at Freddy’s.
The movie was based on Scott Cawthon’s 2014 survival game Five Nights at Freddy’s, which tasked the player with surviving shifts in a family pizzeria without bumping into the murderous animatronic villains wandering around the building every night. The movie follows a similar premise, with protagonist Mike (Josh Hutcherson) taking an overnight security gig at the family restaurant before realising he’s bitten off more than he can chew.