Horror is having a banner year at the box office, and the trend shows no signs of slowing down. From the record-breaking Obsession to the A24 phenomenon Backrooms and the franchise-best opening of Scream 7, audiences have been flocking to theaters for scares all year long. Even outside the traditional spooky season, these films have outperformed major blockbusters, proving that horror is the genre to beat in 2026.
Now, with Halloween just around the corner, the genre is poised for even bigger wins. This weekend, the low-budget thriller Crawlers hopes to join the party, but it faces stiff competition from the current king of the season: Other Mommy, starring Oscar winner Jessica Chastain.
Despite being panned by critics, Other Mommy has become a box office juggernaut. In less than a week, the film has grossed $50 million globally—$30 million domestically and $20 million overseas—against a modest $19 million budget. That makes it a financial success almost immediately, and it's expected to continue its strong run this weekend.
The film's appeal is largely thanks to Chastain, whose star power has drawn audiences to theaters. Based on Josh Malerman's 2024 novel Incidents Around the House, the story follows Bela, an 8-year-old girl who must confront a sinister entity she calls "Other Mommy" that emerges from her closet and threatens her family.
Critics have been harsh, with Other Mommy sitting at a dismal 17% on Rotten Tomatoes. ScreenRant's Josh Bate gave it 4/10, writing, "Nothing is scary about Other Mommy, and only the film's very first sequence is even slightly creepy." Yet, audiences seem to disagree, making it the latest example of a horror film that thrives despite critical disdain.
This isn't a new phenomenon—horror has a long history of defying critics to become hits. The genre's ability to connect with audiences on a primal level often outweighs critical consensus. And with the Halloween season amplifying interest, Other Mommy is perfectly timed to capitalize on the holiday's horror appetite.
For those who want to catch the film at home, preorders for the 4K Blu-ray are already live, so you can own the horror hit soon. And if you're looking for more scares this month, check out October's scariest new horror movies, from Clayface to Christmas at the Kringles.
As Other Mommy continues its theatrical run, it's clear that star power and timing can sometimes trump critical reception. Whether it will maintain its momentum remains to be seen, but for now, it's the horror movie to beat this Halloween.
