‘Other Mommy’ Box Office preview hints at strong opening as ‘The Social Reckoning’ struggles

Jessica Chastain’s supernatural horror film Other Mommy is heading towards a promising opening weekend at the North American box office, while Aaron Sorkin’s The Social Reckoning is facing more modest expectations.

Released on October 9, 2026, Other Mommy is projected to earn around $20 million during its opening weekend, potentially giving Universal Pictures and Blumhouse a much-needed boost in the horror market. The film, directed by Rob Savage, has benefited from considerable online attention following the viral success of its unsettling trailer.

With a reported production budget of $19 million, the horror film stars Chastain in a dual role as a mother and a sinister supernatural entity that takes her appearance. Based on Josh Malerman’s novel Incidents Around the House, the story follows a young girl who encounters a frightening presence that looks exactly like her mother.

Meanwhile, The Social Reckoning, Sorkin’s follow-up to the 2010 film The Social Network, is expected to have a considerably quieter debut. The film is tracking towards an opening weekend of approximately $7 million to $8 million in North America, falling well short of its predecessor’s performance.

The new film stars Jeremy Strong as Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, taking over the role previously played by Jesse Eisenberg. Mikey Madison and Jeremy Allen White also feature in the cast. The story centres on whistleblower Frances Haugen, who exposes internal Facebook documents to a journalist, bringing renewed scrutiny to the platform’s impact on society.

Despite the original film’s critical success and cultural influence, The Social Reckoning faces the challenge of attracting audiences more than a decade after its predecessor. Its projected opening reflects a more subdued theatrical outlook for the adult-oriented drama.

The two releases arrive during a quieter period for cinemas, with studios hoping that the contrasting appeal of supernatural horror and technology-focused drama will encourage audiences to return to theatres. While Other Mommy has the advantage of seasonal demand ahead of Halloween, The Social Reckoning will need positive audience reception to build momentum beyond its opening weekend.