2025’s Top Horror Hit Set to Haunt HBO Max – Release Date Announced
Fans of suspense and supernatural thrills have something to look forward to as Weapons, one of 2025’s standout horror films, prepares to stream on HBO Max starting October 24.
The movie, directed by Zach Cregger, first hit theaters on August 8, and quickly captured audiences with its mysterious plot and shocking twists, following in the footsteps of Cregger’s 2022 success, Barbarian.
Weapons tells the story of seventeen children from the same classroom who mysteriously vanish on the same night. The film blends supernatural mystery with a suspenseful, urban-legend-inspired narrative.
Cregger not only directed the movie but also wrote, produced, and co-scored it, showcasing his hands-on approach. The ensemble cast features Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, Cary Christopher, Toby Huss, Benedict Wong, and Amy Madigan.
After the success of Barbarian, Cregger’s script for Weapons sparked a bidding war, with New Line Cinema ultimately securing the project. Filming took place in Atlanta from February to July 2024 after initial delays due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes. The script reportedly sold for $38 million.
There’s something wrong in Maybrook. #WeaponsMovie – only in theaters August 8. pic.twitter.com/Jb8xd5xkfq
— New Line Cinema (@newlinecinema) April 29, 2025
The movie performed strongly at the box office, grossing $267 million worldwide. In the U.S., it made $151 million, while international markets contributed $116 million. Critical response has been overwhelmingly positive.
On Rotten Tomatoes, 94% of 360 reviews are favorable, with the consensus calling it, “an expertly crafted yarn of terrifying mystery and thrilling intrigue, a sophomore triumph that solidifies Cregger as a master of horror.” Metacritic scores it 81 out of 100, indicating universal acclaim. CinemaScore polls show audiences gave it an A− grade, with many recommending the film.
Critics praised Cregger’s direction and storytelling. Empire’s John Nugent awarded the movie a perfect score, writing, “The entire film, in fact, is something that shouldn’t work, but does. Can a film about missing children and grief be called a crowd-pleaser? In Zach Cregger’s hands, it feels almost effortless.”
Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com called it a superior follow-up to Barbarian, noting that “the script refuses to connect every dot, which adds to the suspense and depth.” Variety’s Peter Debruge highlighted the darkly twisted and unpredictable storytelling, describing it as “a cruel and twisted bedtime story of the sort the Brothers Grimm might have spun.”
With its upcoming HBO Max release, horror fans who missed the theatrical run will get a chance to experience the chilling and suspenseful world Cregger has built.
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