Unlocking the Untapped Brilliance: Unveiling the True Vision of Five Nights at Freddy's

Summary

Five Nights at Freddy's could be a huge box office success if it becomes an event for younger audiences, like the last Minions movie.

The presence of abundant source material ensures that Blumhouse can produce movies for an extended period, without the need for fresh content. The potential of Five Nights at Freddy's to become a franchise hinges on its success at the box office, but the brand's recognition and the wealth of source material offer the possibility of creating multiple films.

Marvel Cinematic Universe screenwriters Zack Stentz and C. Robert Cargill have expressed their belief in the potential of the Five Nights at Freddy's movie. The film, based on the popular video game franchise created by Scott Cawthon, revolves around a security guard who must survive against animatronic characters that come to life after midnight. The cast includes Josh Hutcherson, Matthew Lillard, Elizabeth Lail, and Mary Stuart Masterson.

In anticipation of the movie's release on October 27, Stentz and Cargill took to Twitter to discuss their thoughts on its potential. Stentz pointed out the movie's appeal to younger audiences and suggested that it could be a box office success. Cargill acknowledged the vast amount of source material available for future film franchises. Their exchange can be seen below.

Stentz asserts that Hollywood underestimates the immense popularity of Five Nights at Freddy's among Zoomers and Generation Alpha. He suggests that if it attains the same level of popularity as the previous Minions movie, it could be a colossal success.

In reply, Cargill argues that studios are oblivious to the abundance of books and games associated with Five Nights at Freddy's. He suggests that Blum could continue producing content for many years without the need for reboots, refreshes, or new material.

Stentz further adds, "In the realm of creating films based on brands or intellectual property, there are two categories. The first requires an exceptional movie that can potentially attract an audience. The second category, however, solely relies on not making any major mistakes due to the immense love and loyalty towards the brand. This particular situation clearly falls into the latter category. What astonishes me is that Chuck E. Cheese chose to discard their animatronics just as FNAF gained immense popularity, instead of embracing it and organizing some child-friendly horror events at their establishments."

Could Five Nights at Freddy's Become A Film Franchise?

Like most potential franchise starters, the success of Five Nights at Freddy's on the big screen will depend on its box office performance. Being a horror movie, it was produced with a moderate budget of $25 million, making it easier to achieve box office success. Official projections for the movie are yet to be announced, but it is anticipated to have an opening weekend earning between $20 million to $40 million, given its popularity. Furthermore, considering its recognizable name, it is also feasible for the movie to gross $100 million worldwide.

However, achieving a level of success similar to Minions: Rise of Gru is highly unlikely, as Stentz points out. This animated film, which was released in 2022, generated over $100 million in its opening weekend and amassed nearly $1 billion worldwide by the end of its run. Unlike Five Nights at Freddy's, which is set for a simultaneous release on Peacock, the availability of streaming is expected to diminish its overall box office revenue.

However, even if Five Nights at Freddy's achieves significant success at the box office with a more realistic approach, a franchise is highly probable. As mentioned by Cargill, there is abundant source material available for Blumhouse to adapt, including a total of 9 main games and several spinoffs in the series. This extensive content has the potential to sustain a film franchise for many years to come. While the two MCU screenwriters recognize the considerable possibilities, it is uncertain whether audiences will flock to theaters to see Five Nights at Freddy's.