"Five Nights at Freddy's: A Thrilling Box Office Success and Gateway Horror Film for Kids"

"Five Nights at Freddy's," the latest horror film from Universal and Blumhouse, earned an impressive $10.3 million in Thursday previews at the domestic box office, on par with "It: Chapter Two." The film is expected to open to $45 million to $50 million, despite being simultaneously released on Universal's streaming service, Peacock. The decision to do a day-and-date release is seen as a win-win, allowing for both theater experiences and subscriber growth for Peacock. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a shrinking theatrical window, making day-and-date releases more common. Directed by Emma Tammi, "Freddy's" stars Josh Hutcherson and follows a security guard battling murderous animatronic characters at a family-themed pizza restaurant.