Monday morning never looked so good (or felt) this crisp. Grab your post-holiday coffee, or better yet, a fall cocktail, and let’s dive into Labor Day weekend’s box office drama. From horror icons to Broadway backstage, this Monday Morning Hangover Report has all the twists your theater-loving heart needs.
This Week’s Monday Morning Hangover Report
Summer ended not with a whimper, but with a scream. A very loud, primal, “Horror Rules!” scream. The Conjuring: Last Rites delivered a very loud $83M debut, easily snatching the #1 spot and becoming the biggest horror premiere of 2025. Meanwhile, Hamilton proved the stage still has cinematic power with a strong $10M re-release, and long-time leader Weapons continued its stellar run in third place. As Freakier Friday and Caught Stealing hung on, the box office numbers reminded us that horror rules this year, musicals can still sings, and fall has officially arrived at the movie theaters.
Top 5 Domestic Films
-
The Conjuring: Last Rites
-
Weekend gross: $83.0 million (a record-breaking horror debut in 2025)
-
Total to date: $83.0M
-
-
Hamilton (theatrical re-release)
-
Weekend gross: $10.0 million
-
-
Weapons
-
Weekend gross: $5.4 million (Week 5)
-
Cumulative domestic: $143.0 million
-
-
Freakier Friday
-
Weekend gross: $3.8 million
-
Cumulative domestic: $87.8 million
-
-
Caught Stealing
-
Weekend gross: $3.2 million
-
Cumulative domestic: $14.9 million
-
| Rank | Film | Weekend Gross | Cumulative Domestic | Key Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Conjuring: Last Rites | $83.0M | $83.0M | Biggest horror debut of 2025 |
| 2 | Hamilton | $10.0M | $10.0M | Broadway hits still deliver |
| 3 | Weapons | $5.4M | ~$143.0M | Strong hold into Week 5 |
| 4 | Freakier Friday | $3.8M | ~$87.8M | Family comedy remains solid |
| 5 | Caught Stealing | $3.2M | ~$14.9M | Thriller still buzzing |
Highlights & Insights
-
Horror Dominates Yet Again
The Conjuring: Last Rites screamed into theaters with $83 million shattering horror opening records for 2025 and ending Weapons‘ four-week run at #1. -
Broadway Fever Lingers
Hamilton brings the stage to cinemas with a remarkable $10 million opening, proving once more that the theater-to-screen model still packs crowds. -
Late Summer Resilience
Even as Labor Day stirs new dramas, Weapons stays sharp in its fifth weekend, demonstrating serious staying power. -
Comfort Cinema Still Wins
Freakier Friday and Caught Stealing highlight that audiences still crave familiar laughs and narrative thrills, even as summer exits.
What’s Next
-
Can The Conjuring hold the crown? No major competitor drops immediately, but the horror throne may face crowding soon.
-
Fresh Fall Features Incoming
Watch for The Long Walk, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, and Spinal Tap: The End Continues, all aiming to shake up fall’s box office.
Final Pour
This Labor Day weekend flipped the script: horror roared back to the top, Broadway had its cinematic encore, and the late-summer slowdowns held their ground. As the temps dip and theaters expect autumn action, one thing’s certain—this season’s cinema still has a few surprises in store.
