Hokum Thrives at the Box Office: A Rising Star Amidst Fierce Competition

Hokum, the gothic supernatural thriller directed by Damian McCarthy, is proving to be a formidable contender at the North American box office. Surpassing the documentary Three Identical Strangers, it has secured a spot among Neon’s top 10 highest-grossing domestic releases. With a domestic total of $12.5 million and a worldwide gross of $14.6 million, Hokum has exceeded its production budget and is on track for further success. As it faces competition from major Hollywood films, industry analysts are keenly observing its trajectory. Will Hokum become a sleeper hit? Read on to find out more about its impressive performance and future potential.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 11, 2026, 14:43 IST

Hokum's Box Office Success

Despite facing stiff competition from various popular films, Hokum is showcasing remarkable endurance at the North American box office. This gothic supernatural thriller, helmed by Damian McCarthy, has now entered the ranks of Neon’s top 10 highest-grossing domestic releases, overtaking the documentary Three Identical Strangers in the process. This milestone underscores the film's increasing appeal and its potential for further success.

Having been released internationally, Hokum has tapped into a wider audience, which has significantly bolstered its box office results. The film managed to recover its production costs during its opening weekend and has sustained a positive trajectory since then. However, experts in the industry indicate that it will need a considerable surge to be deemed a sleeper hit, particularly as it competes with major Hollywood titles like The Devil Wears Prada 2, Michael, and Mortal Kombat II.

As reported by Box Office Mojo, Hokum earned $3.3 million in its second weekend across 1,885 theaters in North America. Although this marks a 48.4% drop from its debut weekend, the figure is commendable given the presence of five major films in theaters. In just 10 days, this indie horror film has amassed a domestic total of $12.5 million, surpassing the $12.3 million domestic earnings of Three Identical Strangers, which premiered in 2018.

Three Identical Strangers, directed by Tim Wardle, tells the story of identical triplet brothers who were adopted by different families. Its impressive box office performance positioned it as the 10th highest-grossing film ever released by Neon in North America. With Hokum's current domestic gross of $12.5 million, it has now achieved that same ranking, marking a significant achievement for the film.

Beyond its domestic success, Hokum has also generated $2.1 million from international markets, bringing its global total to $14.6 million. Produced on a modest budget of $5 million, the film has already surpassed its break-even point and is on track to exceed the $20 million threshold worldwide. Released on May 1, Hokum's performance continues to garner attention within the industry.