The box office has been eerily quiet lately, leaving many to wonder: Is the movie industry in a slump, or are audiences simply waiting for something truly worth their time? Recent flops like The Smashing Machine and Disney’s high-budget Tron: Ares have done little to inspire confidence, with both films bombing spectacularly. Even One Battle After Another failed to make a significant splash, despite modest expectations. But here’s where it gets exciting: the weekend of October 24 is shaping up to be a cinematic battleground, with a diverse lineup of films vying for the top spot. From a Bruce Springsteen biopic to a highly anticipated anime release, there’s something for everyone—but which film will reign supreme?
20th Century Studios is leading the charge with two major contenders: Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere and Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc. But they’re not alone. NEON’s horror sensation Shelby Oaks, the most successful horror movie Kickstarter in history, and the Colleen Hoover adaptation Regretting You are also entering the fray. This crowded weekend promises to be a thrilling showdown, but the real question is: Can any of these films break the box office curse of 2024?
As of now, Scott Cooper’s Springsteen biopic is the frontrunner, with projections placing its domestic debut between $17 million and $27 million, according to Box Office Theory. Close behind is Chainsaw Man, expected to pull in $12 million to $17 million, while Regretting You trails slightly with $11 million to $16 million. Shelby Oaks remains a wildcard, though estimates suggest it could open anywhere between $6.7 million and $14 million. And this is the part most people miss: If any of these films overperform or underperform, the race for the number one spot could be tighter than anyone expects.
The stakes are high, especially for Chainsaw Man, which hopes to ride the wave of anime’s growing popularity in the U.S., much like Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, which opened to a staggering $70 million and has since surpassed $100 million domestically. Meanwhile, Regretting You could follow in the footsteps of It Ends With Us, which defied expectations with a $50 million opening and went on to gross $350 million worldwide. But here’s where it gets controversial: Are studios underestimating the power of female-driven narratives, or is there something more at play?
Each of these films targets a distinct audience: Springsteen appeals to music lovers and biopic enthusiasts, Chainsaw Man caters to anime and action fans, Regretting You aims at romance and book adaptation lovers, and Shelby Oaks taps into the Halloween horror craze. If each film resonates with its intended demographic, the weekend could be a massive win for the box office overall.
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere delves into the making of the iconic 1982 album Nebraska, with Jeremy Alan White (The Bear) portraying The Boss as he grapples with fame and personal demons. On the other hand, Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc thrusts viewers into a brutal war between devils, hunters, and hidden enemies, with the titular character facing his deadliest challenge yet after meeting the enigmatic Reze.
For Springsteen, the goal is to land somewhere between the success of A Complete Unknown ($140 million worldwide) and Elvis ($288 million worldwide). With a $50 million budget, a debut above $20 million would keep it on track. Chainsaw Man, however, is a low-risk, high-reward venture, with anime films typically performing well overseas. Even a $10 million opening would be a victory, though $20 million isn’t out of the question.
Regretting You and Shelby Oaks both have the potential to surprise. The former could capitalize on the same female-driven momentum that propelled Where the Crawdads Sing and It Ends With Us to success, while the latter benefits from strong buzz and the Halloween season. But the real question is: Can these films transcend their genres and appeal to a broader audience?
As October 24 approaches, one thing is clear: this weekend is a high-stakes gamble for Hollywood. With so much potential on the table, the only certainty is uncertainty. Which film will you be rooting for? And do you think any of these releases can break the box office drought of 2024? Let us know in the comments!
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere, Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc, Regretting You, and Shelby Oaks all hit theaters on October 24, 2025. Mark your calendars—this is one weekend you won’t want to miss.
