Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners’ Could Be Dethroned for Biggest Horror Movie Previews of the Year by Upcoming Mega-Hit

Zach Cregger’s horror movie Weapons is already making a big splash before it even hits theaters. The film could pull in $6 million from its previews, beating out Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which earned $4.7 million from its Thursday night previews. Weapons is set to open in the United States on August 8, 2025, through Warner Bros. Pictures and has been impressing critics early on.

Right now, the movie holds a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the highest-rated horror films of the decade so far, according to early reviews. The story is set in a small town where something strange happens one night.

Seventeen kids from the same classroom suddenly get up in the middle of the night and run out of their homes. None of them return. The only kid who stays behind is Alex Lilly, played by Cary Christopher. The town’s teacher, Justine Gandy, played by Julia Garner, tries to figure out what happened, along with worried parents and the rest of the town.

Weapons features a strong cast. Josh Brolin plays Archer Graff, a father of one of the missing kids, and Alden Ehrenreich stars as Paul Morgan, a police officer with a complicated past with Justine. Benedict Wong plays the school principal, while Amy Madigan is Alex’s aunt. Other actors include Austin Abrams, June Diane Raphael, Clayton Farris, Whitmer Thomas, Callie Schuttera, Toby Huss, and Luke Speakman.

Are you watching?#WeaponsMovie – only in theaters August 8. pic.twitter.com/N5rBjpS4JE

— New Line Cinema (@newlinecinema) June 23, 2025

Critics have praised the movie for its originality and unpredictable story. Many say it’s one of the most creative horror films in recent years because it mixes mystery, drama, and scary moments. Zach Cregger, who wrote and produced the film, has been recognized for bringing a fresh take to the genre. Reviewers call the movie disturbing and uncomfortable at times but also gripping and emotionally powerful.

On the other hand, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners has been a major hit at the box office. As of July 22, 2025, the film made $278.6 million in the U.S. and Canada, with an additional $87.3 million internationally. This brings the worldwide total to $365.9 million.

Some experts say Sinners needed to earn between $170 million and $185 million to break even, taking into account production costs, marketing, and deals with streaming services like Prime and Netflix. Others believe the break-even point is even higher, up to $300 million, because of the movie’s big budget and marketing expenses.

Fans and industry insiders, including actor Ben Stiller, have pushed back against media reports that focused on box office numbers and Coogler’s salary instead of the movie’s popularity. On Rotten Tomatoes, Sinners has a 97% positive score from 405 critics. The site called it “a rip-roaring fusion of masterful visual storytelling and toe-tapping music,” and praised Coogler for his unique style. Metacritic gave the film a score of 84 out of 100, showing “universal acclaim.”

Audience reactions have been very positive. CinemaScore gave Sinners an “A” grade, the highest for a horror film in 35 years. PostTrak found that 92% of viewers gave the film a positive review, and 84% said they would definitely recommend it.

With Weapons building excitement before its release and Sinners enjoying huge success, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for horror fans. Both films offer something new and interesting, and viewers are clearly loving it.

If you have thoughts or opinions, feel free to share them in the comments!