The video game film adaptation, Five Nights at Freddy’s, has gotten $150 million in the global box office but has missed the mark with critics.
The long-awaited Five Nights at Freddy’s film adaptation hit theaters and Peacock streaming services recently. With the film coming out the same day in theaters as it did on streaming, one would think that that would hurt the box office. But it opened with $80 million at the box office in the US while Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour is still in theatres.
This is definitely due to the cult status of the Five Nights at Freddy’s Fanbase. It seems that the film could’ve been received poorly, but plenty would’ve still gone out and seen it. Still shows that video game adaptation films can make good money.
For me, I feel that being a horror video game adaptation is the key here. Horror films are made to be seen in theaters. Plenty of people go to theaters to watch a horror film, even if they know it won’t be that good. It’s all about going to the theater to hear the loud jump scares and screams. Of course, seeing a horror film in theaters is scarier than seeing it in the comfort of your home. So add that Five Nights at Freddy’s is a popular video game franchise with a cult following, and you have a moneymaker.
I don’t think people’s expectations for the film were that high, as most video game films turn out rough. It is sitting at a five on IMDb and 30 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. Even some of the Youtubers who popularized the video game, such as Jacksepticeye, voiced their displeasure with the movie. Once again, we have another video game movie adaptation that is a dud in the critic’s eyes.