Jessica Chastain’s supernatural horror film Other Mommy is heading towards a potentially strong opening weekend at the North American box office, while Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Reckoning is expected to deliver a more modest debut.
Released on October 9, 2026, Other Mommy is projected to earn around $20 million during its opening weekend, according to box office estimates. The performance could provide a welcome boost for Universal Pictures and Blumhouse, particularly as studios look to capitalise on audience interest in horror films ahead of Halloween.
Directed by Rob Savage, the film has attracted considerable online attention following the viral response to its unsettling trailer.
Other Mommy builds momentum ahead of Halloween
With a reported production budget of $19 million, Other Mommy is positioning itself as a potentially strong theatrical release during the Halloween season.
Chastain stars in a dual role involving a mother and a sinister supernatural entity that assumes her appearance. Based on Josh Malerman’s novel Incidents Around the House, the story follows a young girl who encounters a terrifying presence that looks exactly like her mother.
The film’s premise, which combines psychological unease with supernatural horror, has helped generate interest among horror fans.
Its projected opening of approximately $20 million would put the film in a promising position relative to its reported production cost, although its overall commercial performance will depend on audience reception, marketing expenses and its ability to maintain ticket sales in subsequent weeks.
The Halloween period could also work in the film’s favour, as horror releases often benefit from seasonal interest in frightening stories and theatrical experiences.
The Social Reckoning faces a quieter debut
In contrast, The Social Reckoning is tracking towards an opening weekend of approximately $7 million to $8 million in North America.
Written and directed by Sorkin, the film follows the acclaimed 2010 drama The Social Network, which explored the creation of Facebook and the disputes surrounding its early development.
The new film shifts its focus towards whistleblower Frances Haugen and the controversy surrounding internal Facebook documents. Its story examines renewed scrutiny of the social media platform and its broader impact on society.
Tom Cruise’s Digger struggles at box office as Verity takes the lead
Jeremy Strong plays Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, taking over the role previously portrayed by Jesse Eisenberg. Mikey Madison and Jeremy Allen White also feature in the cast.
Despite the cultural impact of its predecessor, the sequel faces the challenge of attracting theatrical audiences more than a decade after the original film’s release.
Its projected opening suggests a slower start than Other Mommy, although audience reactions and reviews could influence its performance in the weeks ahead.
Two films target different audiences
The contrasting box office outlooks highlight the different challenges facing the two releases.
Other Mommy is targeting horror fans with a supernatural premise and the advantage of seasonal demand. Its online visibility may help translate curiosity into ticket sales, particularly among audiences looking for Halloween entertainment.
The Social Reckoning, meanwhile, is aimed at viewers interested in technology, journalism and the social consequences of powerful digital platforms. As an adult-oriented drama, it may need strong word of mouth and sustained audience interest to build momentum beyond its opening weekend.
Both films arrive during a relatively quieter period for cinemas, making their early performances important indicators of audience appetite for their respective genres.
While Other Mommy appears better positioned for a stronger opening, the initial projections do not determine either film’s long-term commercial prospects. Final box office figures, audience reception and subsequent-weekend holds will provide a clearer picture of how the releases perform.
