Last weekend’s disappointing opening for M3GAN 2.0, which managed only $10M after the original M3GAN took in $30M in its January 2023 debut, was the latest setback for Blumhouse. Over the 15 years since Jason Blum founded the horror production studio, it has established a reputation for making culturally relevant and financially successful movies such as PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, INSIDIOUS, THE PURGE, GET OUT, and M3GAN, among others.
However, they have hit a dry spell with the four movies it has released since FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S, was became the highest-grossing movie in the studio’s history ($291M worldwide). The critics have also been more, well, more critical of the studio’s movies since that time.
On the heels of M3GAN 2.0’s disappointing opening, The Hollywood Reporter published this interesting article on the “soul searching” taking place within Blumhouse. M3GAN 2.0 struck a different tone from the original, offering sci-fi and even farcical comic elements. This departure may have been jarring to the traditional horror fans who have come out for Blumhouse movies in the past.
They may also dial back the number of new releases in a given year, in recognition of the fact that the horror movie market may be somewhat oversaturated. Next up: BLACK PHONE 2 in October, FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S in December, follow-ups to very successful originals.
