Universal Pictures and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster’s supernatural horror film Other Mommy made a strong impression at the domestic box office. It pulled in $3.6 million in Thursday previews across 2,850 North American screens. Starring Jessica Chastain and directed by Rob Savage, the R-rated feature opened on Friday, October 9, 2026. This performance positions the film to easily take the weekend box office crown.
Box Office Projections and Preview Comparisons
Industry tracking places Other Mommy on course for an opening weekend between $22 million and $28 million. Some optimistic forecasts reach as high as $35 million. The preview figures outperform several prominent horror releases from recent years at the same stage. It edged past titles like The Black Phone ($3 million), Longlegs ($3 million), M3GAN ($2.8 million), and Smile ($2 million).
Carrying a modest production budget of $19 million, the film easily outpaced Sony Pictures’ simultaneous new release, The Social Reckoning. That film brought in $650,000 from Thursday previews across 2,368 locations and is tracking for a single-digit million opening.
Cast, Crew, and Source Material
Adapted from Josh Malerman’s award-winning 2024 horror novel Incidents Around the House, Other Mommy follows a young girl named Bela. Played by Arabella Olivia Clark, Bela is terrorized by a sinister supernatural entity that mimics her mother. Jessica Chastain stars in dual roles as Ursula, the working mother, and her malevolent double. The cast also features Jay Duplass as the father Russell, alongside Dichen Lachman, Arian Moayed, Karen Allen, and Sean Kaufman.
The film is produced by Jason Blum and James Wan. Director Rob Savage previously helmed genre titles such as Host and The Boogeyman.
Critical Reception Versus Audience Curiosity
Despite the robust commercial start, Other Mommy has faced a challenging reception from film critics. The movie holds a low approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers criticizing its reliance on predictable jump scares and thin mythology. However, almost every review singled out Jessica Chastain’s dual performance for praise. Viral marketing campaigns have successfully driven audience curiosity ahead of the busy Halloween season.
Whether the supernatural thriller can maintain momentum in the coming weeks will depend largely on general audience word-of-mouth and how it holds up against competing seasonal titles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Other Mommy about?
The film follows a young girl named Bela who is targeted by a terrifying supernatural entity that looks and sounds exactly like her mother, Ursula.
Who directed Other Mommy?
The film is directed by Rob Savage, known for his work on Host and The Boogeyman.
Is Other Mommy based on a book?
Yes, the movie is an adaptation of Josh Malerman’s 2024 horror novel Incidents Around the House.
How much did Other Mommy make in previews?
The film grossed $3.6 million in domestic Thursday previews across 2,850 theaters.
Who stars in Other Mommy?
The film stars Jessica Chastain in dual roles as Ursula and the entity, alongside Arabella Olivia Clark as Bela and Jay Duplass as Russell.
