Box Office Shocker: ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ Haunts with $2.2M Debut, While A24’s ‘Eddington’ Trails at $625K

Slasher reboot haunts previews with $2.2M

Sony’s I Know What You Did Last Summer surprised industry insiders by debuting to $2.2 million from Thursday previews alone, showing a strong nostalgic pull. The return to campy, hook-wielding terror seems to be electrifying audiences ahead of its full opening.

Despite mixed reviews, critics gave lukewarm praise, and audiences scored it modestly, but the film’s brand remains potent. Nostalgia proves powerful, even when execution splits opinion.

Eddington trails with just $625K start

A24’s star-packed drama Eddington opened quietly, pulling in an estimated $625,000 from Thursday previews, far less than expected for its ensemble cast and festival buzz. Industry insiders are already calling the preview turnout a disappointment.

The film’s satirical take on small-town tensions during lockdown may have intrigued critics, but it failed to ignite early audience interest. The week ahead will be key to its overall performance.

Comparisons hint at future weekend trends

Box-office analysts suggest the slasher revival could land in the $12–$15 million range over its opening weekend, fueled by franchise nostalgia and a wide theater rollout of about 3,000 screens. That would be a solid win for Sony.

By contrast, Eddington is projected to open around $5 million, a steep climb from preview earnings. Without strong word-of-mouth, it may struggle to recoup its reported $35 million budget.

Critical divide sharpens audience split

Critics praised I Know What You Did Last Summer for delivering lean, entertaining slasher thrills while calling out its lack of suspense. Its CinemaScore averaged a C+, reflecting the mixed fan response.

Eddington, meanwhile, received polarized reviews. Some applaud its sharp satire and stellar cast, while others find it unfocused and artistically jarring, mirroring Ari Aster’s reputation for bold, divisive work.

Horror continues its 2025 box office hot streak

Horror has quietly become 2025’s most consistent genre at the box office. With Abigail, Longlegs, and now I Know What You Did Last Summer, studios are seeing strong returns from low-to-mid budget screamers.

This latest reboot taps Gen Z and millennials alike, mixing nostalgia with modern jump scares. It’s Thursday haul proves horror’s durability, even without A-list stars or mega budgets behind it.

A24’s risky bet on satire meets resistance

While Eddington generated online buzz for its highbrow themes and eerie lockdown setting, casual moviegoers appear confused by its tone. Early reactions suggest it’s too “arthouse” for multiplex crowds.

Despite strong performances, especially from its lead actor, audiences may not be eager for pandemic-adjacent satire. For A24, it’s a reminder that critical acclaim doesn’t always equal commercial momentum.

Reboot fatigue doesn’t apply to horror

Critics often roll their eyes at reboots, but horror gets a pass. Audiences flocked to I Know What You Did Last Summer partly because of its legacy status. It’s familiar, fast-paced, and doesn’t ask too much.

Slasher films thrive on simple premises and visual thrills. This reboot doesn’t reinvent the genre; it just honors it with glossy violence and stylish scares, which might be exactly what audiences want.

Audience age gap shapes performance

Analysts note that I Know What You Did Last Summer attracted mostly younger crowds, including horror-loving teens and twentysomethings raised on streaming slashers. That demo showed up in droves Thursday night.

Eddington, by contrast, skewed older, many of whom don’t attend Thursday previews. It’s late-life momentum may still build over the weekend, depending on word-of-mouth and reviews on niche film platforms.

Thursday numbers set weekend tone

Box office watchers say Thursday preview earnings often forecast a film’s weekend trajectory. I Know What You Did Last Summer’s $2.2 million start signals strong interest heading into Friday and Saturday.

Studios typically expect 6–7 times the Thursday take by Sunday night. That math puts the horror reboot on track to exceed $13 million, possibly outperforming early estimates by a healthy margin.

A24 pins hopes on critical prestige

Eddington may have opened soft, but A24’s strategy leans on slow-burn success. The studio often gambles on films that perform better over time, especially with awards-season buzz.

While its $625K debut disappointed some, insiders argue it’s not built for blockbuster numbers. Instead, they hope glowing reviews and repeat viewings will keep the drama alive into August and the fall festival circuit.

Marketing made the difference for Sony

Sony leaned hard into nostalgia to promote I Know What You Did Last Summer, reviving its original tagline and running digital campaigns tied to ‘90s horror trends. The payoff? Big Thursday numbers.

Promos focused less on stars and more on mood, fog, fish hooks, and scream-worthy moments. It resonated with older millennials and Gen Z, who grew up on Scream and Goosebumps.

Eddington’s cast delivers, but message divides

Despite a strong ensemble cast, Eddington is proving polarizing. Some viewers praise its sharp wit and timely subject matter; others call it too slow and “preachy.”

Its commentary on isolation, media control, and misinformation hits close to home for some, but alienates others. Like many A24 films, Eddington may find love later, not on opening weekend, but through deeper conversations.

Horror thrives while dramas face uphill climb

2025 has proven once again that horror is box office gold. Affordable to produce and easy to market, films like I Know What You Did Last Summer rarely need big stars to draw big crowds.

In contrast, dramas like Eddington, even with strong casts, struggle to pull attention from superhero fatigue, horror hits, and franchise reboots. For studios, the lesson is simple: thrillers sell.

Social media boosts slasher’s momentum

By Friday morning, horror fans flooded TikTok and Instagram with reactions to I Know What You Did Last Summer. Clips of crowd jumps, spoilers, and fan theories quickly went viral.

That buzz gave Sony’s film organic reach and energy that money can’t buy. In contrast, Eddington’s more subdued tone didn’t trend the same way, proof that virality can make or break a weekend.

What happens next for both films

Analysts expect I Know What You Did Last Summer to dominate the horror space for at least two weekends, unless The Nun 3 or Smile 2 enter the chat. Word-of-mouth may slow down if reviews stay mixed.

Eddington’s future hinges on critical discussion, strong weekday holds, and possible expansion to art house chains. It could still gain traction, but it won’t be an easy climb. Marvel Drops ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ Trailer, here’s what you missed.

A tale of two audiences, one weekend

This weekend offered a clear contrast in audience taste. One film rode on blood, hooks, and nostalgia; the other leaned on themes, performances, and quiet discomfort. Both had something to say, just to very different crowds.

As box office numbers roll in, studios will watch closely. Are we still driven by franchise thrills? Or is there room for thoughtful cinema in a post-pandemic theater world?

And if you’re craving a mix of both spectacle and substance, Ridley Scott’s $322 million epic starring Russell Crowe just landed on a new streaming platform. Here’s where to watch it now.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and with human editing.