Bruce Springsteen’s International Releases Underperform; ‘The Black Phone 2’ Surpasses $80 Million Globally

Box Office blues for Springsteen Biopic as ‘Chainsaw Man‘ adn ‘Regretting You’ thrive

Bruce Springsteen’s highly anticipated biopic, “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,” is underperforming at the global box office, pulling in just $16.1 million worldwide. Despite a $55 million budget and starring Jeremy Allen White, the film is struggling to resonate with audiences, earning only $7 million internationally.Analysts attribute this to the film’s narrow focus on the making of Springsteen’s 1982 album “Nebraska,” a less commercially accessible chapter in the music icon’s career, unlike the broader, crowd-pleasing narratives of biopics like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Rocketman.” Top international markets include the United Kingdom ($1.6 million), Germany ($1 million), and Italy ($800,000), with a significant portion of overseas territories, including Brazil, Japan, and Korea, still awaiting release.

Meanwhile, other films are seeing significant success. Paramount’s romantic drama “Regretting You,” based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, launched with $10 million from 43 international markets and a total of $22.85 million globally, exceeding expectations in North America with $12.8 million. this marks the second successful screen adaptation of Hoover’s work, following the 2024 hit “It Ends With Us,” with further adaptations of her novels “Verity” and “Reminders of Him” in development.

Dominating international charts is “Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc,” adding $14.7 million to its tally and surpassing $100 million worldwide. The sequel to the popular manga TV series has been a consistent performer in Asia and topped the North American box office this weekend with $17.2 million.This success continues Sony’s Crunchyroll’s winning streak, following the record-breaking performance of “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity castle,” the highest-grossing anime film of all time with $666.8 million globally.

How does the performance of *Nebraska 82* internationally reflect broader trends in music consumption in the streaming era?

Springsteen’s ‘Nebraska 82’ Expansion Fails to Ignite international Charts

Bruce Springsteen’s recent expanded edition of Nebraska 82, coinciding with the release of Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere, has seen lukewarm reception in key international markets. While the re-release garnered attention in the US – as reported by Billboard – its performance across Europe and Asia has been notably weaker than anticipated. Initial projections, based on Springsteen’s established global fanbase, suggested a strong showing, notably in countries like the UK, Germany, and Japan. However,sales figures indicate a meaningful underperformance.

* UK Charts: The album debuted at #67, a considerable drop from previous Springsteen releases.

* Germany: Peaked at #42, failing to break into the top 30.

* Japan: Entered the charts at #89, with limited sustained momentum.

* Australia: Struggled to reach the top 100, indicating a lack of broad appeal.

Analysts attribute this to several factors, including increased competition in the music streaming landscape, a shift in consumer listening habits favoring singles over albums, and potentially, the niche appeal of Nebraska’s raw, acoustic sound. The documentary Deliver Me From nowhere hasn’t translated into a considerable boost in album sales internationally, suggesting a disconnect between the film’s audience and the album’s core demographic. This contrasts with previous Springsteen releases that benefited from extensive promotional tours and mainstream radio play. The Nebraska re-release relied heavily on digital marketing and streaming platform promotion,which proved insufficient to overcome these challenges.

The Impact of Streaming on Album Sales

The decline in physical album sales and the rise of music streaming services like Spotify,Apple Music,and Amazon Music have fundamentally altered the music industry. While streaming provides accessibility,it often translates to lower revenue per listen for artists. This is particularly noticeable with catalog releases like Nebraska 82, where the focus is on attracting existing fans rather than converting new listeners.

Key Streaming Statistics (October 2025):

1. Spotify boasts over 600 million active users globally.
2. Apple Music has approximately 88 million subscribers.
3. Amazon Music has over 59 million subscribers.
4. The average payout per stream varies considerably, ranging from $0.003 to $0.005.

‘The Black Phone 2’ Dominates Global Box Office

In stark contrast to the music industry news, the Black Phone 2 is exceeding expectations at the global box office. The horror sequel has already surpassed $80 million worldwide, demonstrating a strong appetite for suspenseful thrillers.

Box Office Breakdown (as of October 26, 2025)

* North America: $42 million

* International: $38 million

* UK: $8.5 million

* Germany: $6.2 million

* Australia: $5.1 million

* Japan: $4.8 million

* Mexico: $3.5 million

The film’s success is attributed to positive word-of-mouth, effective marketing campaigns targeting horror fans, and a compelling storyline that builds upon the original The Black Phone. The sequel benefits from the established fanbase of the first film and the continued popularity of the horror genre.

Marketing Strategies Driving ‘the Black Phone 2’ Success

Universal Pictures employed a multi-faceted marketing strategy to promote The Black Phone 2:

* Social Media Campaigns: Utilizing platforms like TikTok and instagram to generate buzz and engage with potential viewers.

* Influencer Marketing: Partnering with horror-focused influencers to create content and promote the film.

* Early Screenings: Hosting exclusive screenings for critics and fans to generate positive reviews and word-of-mouth.

* Targeted Advertising: Focusing advertising efforts on demographics known to enjoy horror films.

Comparing and Contrasting Performance: Genre and Audience

The divergent performance of Nebraska 82 and The Black Phone 2 highlights the importance of genre and target audience in today’s entertainment landscape. Horror films, particularly those with strong narratives and effective marketing, consistently perform well at the box office, appealing to a broad demographic.Conversely, niche music releases, even from established artists like Bruce Springsteen, face greater challenges in attracting international audiences in the age of streaming.

The Role of Nostalgia in Entertainment Consumption

Both releases leverage nostalgia, albeit in different ways. Nebraska 82 appeals to long-time Springsteen fans seeking a deeper dive into his early work. The Black Phone 2 builds upon the success of the original, capitalizing on the established fanbase and the thrill of revisiting a familiar story. Though, the broader appeal of the horror genre gives The Black phone 2 a significant advantage.

Future Trends in Entertainment

Looking ahead, the entertainment industry is likely to see continued fragmentation of audiences and a greater emphasis