Following the success of previous horror films such as "Alien: Romulus" and "Longlegs," expectations are high for the box office debut of "Speak No Evil," Universal and Blumhouse's remake of the Danish horror film.

Projected to earn between $10 million to $13 million in its opening weekend, "Speak No Evil" is anticipated to recoup a significant portion of its $15 million production cost. However, unless it surpasses expectations, the film may contribute to what has been a somewhat lackluster year for the horror genre at the box office.

In recent times, horror films have been known for their reliability and ability to draw audiences. However, apart from the global success of Disney's "Alien: Romulus" and the sleeper hit "Longlegs" distributed by Neon, the genre has struggled to make a notable impact financially.

"Speak No Evil," directed by James Watkins, offers a dark comedy of manners, delving into the story of a couple played by James McAvoy and Mackenzie Davis, who invite two friends to their secluded countryside vacation home. What was intended to be an idyllic getaway turns into a terrifying nightmare as unimaginable events unfold. The film has received positive reviews so far, which may contribute to positive word of mouth and further support its box office success.

However, "Speak No Evil" will face tough competition from last weekend's reigning champion, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice." The sequel to Tim Burton's 1988 horror-comedy classic is expected to maintain its lead, albeit with a projected 60% decline in ticket sales from its impressive $111 million debut. Nevertheless, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" has already grossed a solid $153 million globally.

In addition to "Speak No Evil," Lionsgate's "The Killer's Game" is also gearing up for its box office debut, targeting a modest $5 million in earnings. Directed by J. J. Perry, the film follows Dave Bautista as a veteran assassin who discovers that his terminal medical diagnosis was incorrect, leading him to confront a hit ordered on himself.

As horror enthusiasts eagerly await the release of "Speak No Evil" and "The Killer's Game" this weekend, the industry will be closely monitoring the box office results to see if these films can help invigorate what has been a relatively subdued year for the genre.