American moviegoers are sending a loud and clear message to Hollywood: make critically acclaimed, original horror movies and we will come.

Weapons,” a twisty horror film about a group of missing children, and “Freakier Friday,” a body swap comedy, delivered a potent one-two punch at the box office this weekend, lifting ticket sales as summer movie season draws to a close.

“Weapons,” the new original horror film distributed by Warner Bros., blew past projections and dominated the domestic box office this weekend, grossing an estimated $42.5 million according to early numbers from Hollywood publications, surpassing “Freakier Friday” to earn the top spot.