Box Office: ‘Black Phone 2’ Collects $42 Million Globally, ‘Tron: Ares’ Hits $100 Million But Struggling Against Big Budget

“Black Phone 2,” a sequel to Universal and Blumhouse’s 2022 hit slasher film, scared up $42 million at the global box office in its first weekend of release.

Those ticket sales included a softer $15.5 million from 71 international territories as well as a leading $26.5 million in the United States and Canada. Top overseas openings were Mexico with $4.3 million, the United Kingdom and Ireland with $1.4 million and Brazil with $1.2 million.

Directed by Scott Derrickson, “The Black Phone 2” follows the return of the deranged serial killer known as the Grabber (Ethan Hawke). Initial ticket sales for the second film were slightly ahead of its predecessor, which launched to $13 million overseas and $35.8 million worldwide in 2022. The first “Black Phone,” which cost $18 million, became a sleeper hit with $161 million globally. The sequel, which carries a larger $30 million price tag, shouldn’t have trouble justifying its budget. However it needs to stick around on the big…