One of the best horror movies to come out of 2021 had to be The Black Phone. From its unique and suspenseful plot to the strong performances to its chilling atmosphere, this movie is a must-watch for any horror fan. Blumhouse might not always make the best horror content, but when they get it right, they deliver something truly special. The Black Phone is a prime example.
Not only was this movie a box office success, earning an impressive $161.4 million worldwide, but it was also well-received by critics. Most regular audience members enjoyed the film as well. While the stellar performances played a big role in its success, much of the credit goes to the talented team behind it. Without Scott Derrickson’s direction and his co-writing partnership with C. Robert Cargill, the film might not have achieved the same impact. If you weren't aware, The Black Phone is also based on Joe Hill's short story of the same name.
Described as a supernatural horror, the film centers on a 13-year-old boy named Finney, who is kidnapped by a masked serial killer known as The Grabber and locked in a soundproof basement. While trapped, Finney discovers an old black phone that mysteriously allows him to receive calls from the ghosts of The Grabber's previous victims. With their help, he starts to piece together a plan to escape, using the advice and warnings they provide.
Up-and-coming actor Mason Thames stars in the lead role as Finney, while Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke takes on the role of the sadistic, masked killer, The Grabber. Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies, E. Roger Mitchell, James Ransone, Troy Rudeseal, and Miguel Cazarez Mora also join them in the cast.
The Black Phone has had several streaming homes since it first landed on streaming. However, it has finally made its way back to its original home. That streaming service is Peacock. It was re-released on Peacock on Feb. 12, 2025. So, if you want to watch this supernatural horror, that's where you'll need to go. However, you won't be able to watch this movie on Peacock for free. You'll need to have a subscription.
Peacock has four subscription plans and we broke down each one below.
Plan | Price |
|---|---|
Premium Monthly | $7.99/month before taxes |
Premium Annual | $79.99/year before taxes, but there's a limited time annual offer right now where the plan is $29.99 for one year before taxes |
Premium Plus Monthly (ad-free) | $13.99/month before taxes |
Premium Plus Annual (ad-free) | $139.99/year before taxes |
Take a look at the official trailer below for a sneak peek of the film!
Due to The Black Phone being a major success, a sequel was commissioned by Universal in October 2023. For The Black Phone 2, Derrickson returns as director and co-wrote the screenplay with Cargill. Thames, Hawke, McGraw, Davies, and Mora are confirmed to reprise their roles. In addition, Demián Bichir and Arianna Rivas join the cast in new roles. Lastly, a theatrical release date has been set for Oct. 17, 2025. Don't forget to save this date!