A24’s New R-Rated Horror Movie Hits Box Office Milestone That Is More Than 30 Times The Budget

According to Box Office Mojo, the new horror movie Undertone has passed the $15 million mark at the box office after its second weekend in theaters. That is more than 30 times the movie’s budget of $500,000, making it a major box office hit for A24.

Undertone became a box office success after it earned over $9 million during its debut weekend on March 13, 2026. Since then, the A24 horror movie has added $3 million in its second weekend, but it has seen a 66.8% drop. However, that sharp decline makes sense given Project Hail Mary, which grossed the year’s record-breaking debut with $140 million globally.

The horror film premiered in July 2025 at the Fantasia International Film Festival, and a month later, A24 acquired distribution rights with a seven-figure deal. Currently, it is available only in the United States and Canada, but it’s scheduled for release in Australia and the United Kingdom next month. Vertigo Releasing and Rialto Distribution acquired those rights for those respective territories. That means the box office reflects only domestic numbers, so the total will continue to grow.

A24 can celebrate this box office success following the disappointment of How to Make a Killing starring Glen Powell. Despite a $15 million budget, the film earned $11.5 million. Even the mockumentary The Moment with Charli XCX underwhelmed, grossing $5 million at the box office against a $4 million budget.

The low-budget horror movie likely garnered interest due to positive reviews from critics and a 72% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Many Undertone reviews praised the film for its immersive, creepy viewing experience and for its technical mastery in building tension. However, following the release, audience reception was very mixed, with many deeming it pointless and boring. Currently, the audience score stands at 50% and a C on CinemaScore.

Despite the mixed reception, the box office alone bodes well for Undertone‘s future. While speaking with ScreenRant‘s Grant Hermanns, writer and director Ian Tuason hinted that he had a “trilogy in mind“ and was already working on potential developments. Plus, it could answer some major questions following Undertone‘s ending. As of writing, there have been no confirmations of a greenlit sequel.

Undertone stars Nina Kiri as Evy, a podcast host who is a paranormal skeptic. As she returns home to take care of her dying mother, odd noises from a recording of a married couple ignite fear in Evy. Tuason’s own experience inspires the story. The remaining cast includes Adam DiMarco, Michèle Duquet, Keana Lyn Bastidas, Jeff Yun, and Sarah Beaudin, while Dan Slater and Cody Calahan served as producers.

Undertone is now playing in theaters.