Zach Cregger’s Weapons claimed the crown for a second weekend, adding $10.2 million across the holiday frame. Its domestic total has now pushed past $40 million, showing strong legs for an original mid-budget horror film — the kind of title that thrives in a corridor without superhero competition.
Why did Jaws surge back into the top tier?
Nearly fifty years after it defined the modern blockbuster, Spielberg’s Jaws returned to theaters for its 50th anniversary. The shark thriller chewed up $8.1 million and surfaced at #2, proving the appetite for nostalgia is as strong as ever. The re-release gave audiences a chance to revisit the thrills on the big screen — or to discover them fresh.
For our deep dive into why the movie still works, check out our Jaws review on the FIAM YouTube channel.
Which movies rounded out the top five?
Third place went to Darren Aronofsky’s gritty crime thriller Caught Stealing, which opened with $7.8 million. Freakier Friday, Disney’s generational comedy sequel, landed at #4 with $6.5 million. Rounding out the top five was The Roses, a romantic comedy remake that earned $6.4 million.
Was the overall box office strong?
Industry analysts pegged the four-day holiday haul at about $85 million. That’s softer than some pre-pandemic Labor Days, which often passed $100 million, but the weekend reinforced two truths: horror can anchor quiet frames, and audiences will still line up for event-style reissues.
Flix FAQs
Q: Why did audiences show up for Jaws again in 2025?
A: Because it’s a 50-year-old classic that still delivers thrills. The anniversary gave longtime fans a reason to return — and newcomers a chance to see it on the big screen for the first time.
Q: What were the top five movies over Labor Day weekend 2025?
A: Weapons led with $10.2M, followed by Jaws ($8.1M), Caught Stealing ($7.8M), Freakier Friday ($6.5M), and The Roses ($6.4M).
Q: Does this mean box office is back to normal?
A: Not yet. With about $85M total, the holiday was quieter than historic highs, but it showed how horror and nostalgia can still draw crowds when tentpoles take a break.
The Bigger Picture
The 2025 Labor Day box office belonged to two forces: new horror and old sharks. Weapons showed staying power, while Jaws roared back in its 50th year to prove nostalgia is still a box office weapon. The weekend revealed that when the release calendar leaves space, audiences will happily fill it with scares and classics — a reminder that moviegoing isn’t just about what’s new, but what endures.
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