Jessica Chastain’s ‘Other Mommy’ Set for Biggest Horror Book Adaptation Opening Since ‘It Chapter Two’

voice film logo squareArthur S. Poe
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Horror has proven to be a reliable box office draw in 2026, and Universal is aiming to maintain that momentum as Halloween approaches. Originally scheduled for May 8, the release of ‘Other Mommy’ has been moved to October 9, strategically placing it in a prime slot for horror films.

This film brings together an Oscar-winning actress and some of the genre’s most notable talents. Jessica Chastain stars, with Rob Savage, known for ‘Host’ and ‘The Boogeyman’, directing, and James Wan producing through the Blumhouse-Atomic Monster label. The movie is adapted from Josh Malerman’s 2024 novel ‘Incidents Around the House’, who is also the author of ‘Bird Box’.

Recent tracking data indicates that ‘Other Mommy’ is on course to achieve the highest domestic opening for a horror movie adaptation since ‘It Chapter Two’ in 2019. Projections suggest it could earn between $22M and $29M this weekend, depending on audience reception.

The plot centers around Bela, an 8-year-old girl portrayed by Arabella Olivia Clark, whose already troubled family encounters a malevolent presence emerging from her closet. This entity resembles her mother, Ursula, leading Bela to refer to it as “Other Mommy.” What begins as an unusual connection soon escalates into a menacing threat as the entity starts to terrorize the family.

Chastain takes on the dual roles of Ursula and her doppelgänger, which is a significant draw for audiences. The cast also includes Jay Duplass, Dichen Lachman, Arian Moayed, and Karen Allen. The film is rated R for violence and language, running a concise 93 minutes, with Nathan Elston adapting the novel.

While tracking numbers can vary, Box Office Theory has estimated a range of $28.5M to $35M, while Boxoffice Pro has adjusted its projection to as high as $35M. Earlier forecasts were more conservative, suggesting earnings between $15M and $25M.

This upward trend indicates that audiences are becoming increasingly interested in the film. Boxoffice Pro noted that ‘Other Mommy’ is gaining traction amid the original horror wave of 2026, and SlashFilm speculated whether it could replicate the success of recent horror hits like ‘Obsession’ and ‘Backrooms’. They predict it will likely perform somewhere between those two films, reminiscent of ’28 Years Later’, which opened to $30M and grossed $151M worldwide.

The projected earnings align well with recent October horror releases. Boxoffice Pro highlighted ‘Black Phone 2’ at $27.3M, ‘Happy Death Day’ at $26M, and ‘Smile 2’ at $23M. However, the top earners remain significantly ahead, as ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ debuted with an impressive $80M domestically.

Chastain has a successful history in the horror genre. Her 2013 film ‘Mama’ opened to $28.1M and topped the box office, and she also appeared in ‘It Chapter Two’. Savage’s previous wide release, ‘The Boogeyman’, debuted with $12M, indicating that ‘Other Mommy’ is poised to exceed that figure.

It’s important to note that tracking is just a snapshot, and the $22M to $29M range may fluctuate based on reviews and audience feedback. Horror films often experience front-loading, meaning a strong opening weekend doesn’t always guarantee sustained success. Nevertheless, a compelling trailer campaign and a favorable Halloween release window provide Universal with ample reasons for optimism.

If projections hold true, ‘Other Mommy’ could serve as further evidence that original horror films can still achieve significant openings. We will find out soon, as the film is set to hit theaters on October 9.

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