Box Office: ‘Scary Movie’ tops charts as ‘Masters of the Universe’ flops in surprise upset

Hollywood didn’t follow the script this weekend. “Scary Movie” stormed to the top of the box office with $55 million (Ksh 7.095 billion), proving once again that modest budgets can still dominate a crowded theatrical market.

The sixth instalment of the parody franchise, made for about $30 million, beat heavyweight competition with ease.

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It also outpaced “Masters of the Universe”, which opened at $29.3 million (Ksh3.78 billion), despite carrying a production tag close to $200 million.

Industry watchers say the result underlines a shifting audience mood, with younger viewers leaning into comedy and horror hybrids rather than big-budget fantasy revivals.

Horror wave continues

The weekend also confirmed the staying power of low-budget horror. “Backrooms” held firm in its second week with $25.9 million (Ksh 3.34 billion), while “Obsession” followed closely at $25.6 million (Ksh 3.30 billion).

Both films have built momentum far beyond expectations. “Backrooms”, made for just $10 million, has now crossed $212 million globally. “Obsession,” produced for under $1 million, has surged to $224.8 million worldwide, turning into one of the most profitable titles of the year.

The trend signals a widening gap in the industry: lean productions are outperforming tentpole films that once guaranteed dominance.

Big budgets slip

The disappointment deepened for studio giants. “The Mandalorian and Grogu” slipped to sixth place with $10 million (Ksh 1.29 billion), while “The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act” pulled in $12.7 million (Ksh 1.64 billion), edging ahead.

Elsewhere, “Michael”, the Michael Jackson biopic, added $7.7 million (Ksh 993.3 million), bringing its global haul close to $900 million. Meanwhile, “Masters of the Universe” faces growing pressure to recover its massive budget after a weak global start.

Analysts say the film will struggle to reach profitability without strong international legs.

Streaming shift rising

Overall ticket sales were up sharply compared to last year, with the market recording a 63% jump for the weekend and year-to-date growth above 13%, according to Comscore.

But beneath the growth numbers lies a clear shift: audiences are rewarding originality over scale. From YouTube-born horror to returning comedy franchises, the box office is increasingly being shaped by surprise hits rather than studio certainty.

Next weekend’s release of Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day” will test whether that trend holds or whether Hollywood’s old guard can still reclaim the centre stage.

1. “Scary Movie” — $55 million (Ksh7.095 billion)
2. “Masters of the Universe” — $29.3 million (Ksh3.78 billion)
3. “Backrooms” — $25.9 million (Ksh3.34 billion)
4. “Obsession” — $25.6 million (Ksh 3.30 billion)
5. “The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act” — $12.7 million (Ksh1.64 billion)
6. “The Mandalorian and Grogu” — $10 million (Ksh1.29 billion)
7. “Michael” — $7.7 million (Ksh993.3 million)
8. “The Breadwinner” — $3.4 million (Ksh438.6 million)
9. “Pressure” — $3 million (Ksh387 million)
10. “The Devil Wears Prada 2” — $2.8 million (Ksh361.2 million)