Few genres in film are as enduringly popular—and as fiercely debated among fans—as horror. The past few years have seen a remarkable evolution in the genre, with both original films and sequels capturing the public’s imagination and, increasingly, the respect of critics. In 2025, this trend continues unabated, and nowhere is it more apparent than in the much-anticipated release of Black Phone 2, directed by Scott Derrickson and starring Ethan Hawke and Mason Thames. The sequel, which picks up several years after the events of the original, is poised to become the latest entry in what many are calling a new golden age of horror.
When the original The Black Phone hit theaters in June 2022, it quickly became a sensation. Adapted by Derrickson and his long-time collaborator C. Robert Cargill from a short story by Joe Hill, the film grossed over $161 million on a modest $16-$18 million budget. Critics and audiences alike praised its chilling atmosphere and strong performances, with the movie earning an 81% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 88% audience score. The film’s success was no fluke; it tapped into a growing appetite for horror that blends psychological depth with supernatural thrills.
Now, with Black Phone 2 making its official debut at Fantastic Fest 2025, the early buzz is overwhelmingly positive. The sequel currently holds a 79% Tomatometer score, just two points shy of its predecessor. While scores may shift as more critics weigh in, the initial response suggests that Derrickson and his team have managed to recapture the magic that made the first film a hit. According to early reviews, the Grabber—now a supernatural menace—returns to haunt audiences in ways that are both familiar and terrifyingly new.
But Black Phone 2 is not an isolated phenomenon. In recent years, horror sequels have undergone a transformation, evolving from often-maligned cash grabs into critically acclaimed, highly anticipated movie events. According to reporting by Screen Rant, franchises like Saw, The Conjuring, Final Destination, and Terrifier have all seen their latest sequels set new records for both box office performance and critical reception. For instance, Saw X earned the highest Tomatometer score of the franchise—81%, a full 31 points ahead of the original. Similarly, 2025’s Final Destination: Bloodlines and 28 Years Later have set new franchise highs for critical acclaim, while The Conjuring: Last Rites raked in a franchise-record $521 million at the box office.
What’s driving this renaissance? For one, studios have recognized that horror audiences are both loyal and discerning. As Screen Rant notes, "the key to establishing a good franchise is really making an impression with an original. Once you have an established brand name, the modern built-in horror audience will often show up for sequels regardless of their quality. However, if the last few years have proved anything, it's that higher quality yields higher profits." The numbers back this up: in 2025 alone, five horror movies have already grossed over $100 million, three of which are sequels.
The Terrifier franchise offers a textbook example. What began in 2016 as an ultra-low-budget indie project grew into a cult classic, paving the way for Terrifier 2 and the critically lauded, commercially dominant Terrifier 3. The lesson? Invest in quality, and audiences will respond—often in droves.
Of course, not every sequel is a guaranteed hit. The Strangers reboot trilogy, for example, managed to surpass its 2018 predecessor at the box office despite what Screen Rant describes as "terrible reviews." In this case, the power of the brand name did much of the heavy lifting, drawing in viewers based on nostalgia and recognition alone. Still, the overwhelming trend is clear: when filmmakers and studios double down on quality, horror sequels can be both artistic and financial triumphs.
Meanwhile, the cultural conversation around horror continues to thrive, fueled in part by the genre’s ability to tap into deep-seated fears and anxieties. As highlighted by BuzzFeed, audiences have long debated which horror films are the scariest, with classics like The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity, Jaws, and A Nightmare on Elm Street haunting viewers for decades. These films, spanning from the 1960s to the present, have left indelible marks on generations of moviegoers, proving that horror’s power lies not just in jump scares or gore, but in its capacity to linger in the imagination.
BuzzFeed’s community-driven roundup of the scariest horror movies underscores how personal and subjective the genre can be. Some are terrified by supernatural threats, like the otherworldly terror of Silent Hill or the demonic goat in The Witch. Others are unnerved by psychological horror, as seen in films like Se7en or Rosemary’s Baby. Still others cite more visceral experiences, recalling how movies like Final Destination or Event Horizon left them sleeping with the lights on for weeks.
What’s fascinating is how these personal scares intersect with broader industry trends. The enduring popularity of horror classics—many of which have spawned their own sequels and reboots—demonstrates that the appetite for fear is as strong as ever. And as studios continue to invest in both original horror and high-quality sequels, the genre’s future looks bright (or, perhaps more fittingly, deliciously dark).
With Black Phone 2 set for wide release on October 17, 2025, and a runtime of 114 minutes, all eyes are on Derrickson, Hawke, and Thames to see if they can deliver another chilling hit. The early signs are promising, and if the past few years are any indication, audiences are in for a treat. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer who prefers to watch with the lights on, one thing’s certain: horror is having a moment, and it shows no signs of letting up.
As the genre continues to evolve, blending innovation with nostalgia and artistry with commercial savvy, horror fans have plenty to look forward to—and, perhaps, plenty to fear.
