Jordan Peele’s New Movie Ends 2025’s Horror Movie Box Office Trend

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Wow, the box office has been full of surprises this September! First, the new *Conjuring* movie totally crushed expectations and broke all sorts of records when it came out. Then, last week, *Demon Slayer* was a huge hit, especially since there wasn’t much else competing with it. I was really hoping the new Jordan Peele-produced horror film, *Him*, would keep that momentum going, but unfortunately, it-and the other new releases-didn’t really make much of a splash. *Demon Slayer* ended up staying on top again, which is pretty amazing!

As reported by *Deadline*, *Demon Slayer* remained the top movie this weekend, earning $17.3 million domestically. It was a close race with *Him*, but *Demon Slayer* ultimately came out on top. *Him* debuted in second place with $13.5 million over its opening weekend. Another new release, *A Big Bold Beautiful Journey*, didn’t perform well, bringing in only $3.5 million.

Why Him Fell Short of Box Office Projections

2025 proved to be a fantastic year for horror films in theaters. Movies like *Sinners*, *Final Destination Bloodlines*, *Weapons*, and *The Conjuring: Last Rites* all earned more money than expected. While *Him* wasn’t predicted to be a huge hit, it had several factors working in its favor. Jordan Peele has established himself as a remarkably talented and innovative filmmaker, and even though he didn’t direct *Him*, his role as a producer generated interest. Throughout his career, Peele has consistently used horror to explore important social issues, and the premise of *Him* – a psychological thriller about fame, admiration, and the costs of success – promised something truly unique.

Despite its potential, *Him* didn’t live up to expectations. The film received mostly negative reviews, resulting in the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score of Jordan Peele’s career. This poor word-of-mouth is likely why *Him*’s opening weekend earnings fell short of the predicted $15-18 million. Most successful horror movies this year benefited from strong positive reactions. While *The Conjuring: Last Rites* received mixed reviews, it was the final film in a well-established and popular series, making it less vulnerable to criticism. *Him*, however, relied on good reviews to generate excitement and attract audiences.

If *Him* had received better reviews, it might have been the weekend’s top film. While *Demon Slayer* started strong, its numbers dropped significantly after the first weekend – down 75%. However, positive buzz, with a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, helped it stay at number one. It was likely the most attractive choice during a generally slow week for movie releases. Fans of anime either caught *Demon Slayer* last week or went for a second viewing. *Him* performed poorly, and *The Conjuring: Last Rites* ($12.9 million) almost surpassed it, even though it had been in theaters for three weeks.

Like many horror films, *Him* was made on a relatively low budget – around $27 million. While that usually gives a movie a good chance at success, its weak opening weekend makes it unlikely to do well. Horror films often rely on strong initial numbers, and with negative reviews spreading, *Him* probably won’t become a surprise hit. It’s expected to quickly fade from view as bigger, more talked-about films arrive in theaters, including potential award winners like *One Battle After Another* and *The Smashing Machine*, and large-scale blockbusters like *Tron: Ares*. Overall, *Him* appears to be a disappointment from director Jordan Peele.

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2025-09-21 20:16