You know that feeling when you're scrolling through Netflix or Peacock and you see a creepy mask that looks vaguely familiar? It's usually Ethan Hawke looking absolutely unhinged. That’s The Black Phone. But for a movie that feels like it’s been a staple of horror conversations forever, there is actually a ton of confusion about its timeline. People constantly ask me, "Wait, when did Black Phone come out exactly?" because the dates on the internet are a total mess.
If you look it up, you’ll see 2021. Then you’ll see 2022. Then you might see 2025 or 2026. Honestly, it’s enough to make your head spin. But there's a reason for the chaos.
The Real Timeline: When Did Black Phone Come Out?
To get the full picture, you have to realize that this wasn't just a movie that dropped out of nowhere. It had a long, staggered birth.
The very first time human eyes (outside of a studio) saw the film was on September 25, 2021. This was at Fantastic Fest, a huge genre film festival in Austin, Texas. Because of that premiere, sites like IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes often list the movie as a "2021 film."
But let’s be real. Unless you were a hardcore horror nerd in Austin that weekend, you didn't see it then.
For the rest of us, the theatrical release was a different story. After a bunch of annoying delays—mostly thanks to the tail end of the pandemic and the studio wanting a better box office window—The Black Phone finally came out in the United States on June 24, 2022. It actually hit a few international spots like France and the UK a couple of days earlier, on June 22.
So, if you’re settling a bet:
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- Festival Premiere: September 25, 2021.
- Wide Theatrical Release: June 24, 2022.
- Streaming Debut (Peacock): August 14, 2022.
It Started Way Before the Movie
Long before Scott Derrickson (the Doctor Strange guy) got his hands on the script, the story existed in a book. It’s based on a short story by Joe Hill. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Joe is actually Stephen King’s son. Talent clearly runs in the family.
The original short story was first published way back in 2004 in a magazine called The Third Alternative. It later ended up in Joe Hill’s 2005 collection, 20th Century Ghosts. If you’ve only seen the movie, the book version is kinda different—it’s much shorter and arguably even grimmer, if you can believe that.
Why the 2022 Release Was Such a Big Deal
The summer of 2022 was a weird time for movies. People were just starting to go back to theaters in droves, and horror was leading the charge. The Black Phone was a massive hit because it felt "pre-vetted." Scott Derrickson and Ethan Hawke had already teamed up years prior for Sinister, which is widely considered one of the scariest movies ever made.
When The Black Phone finally came out, it grossed over $161 million on a budget that was reportedly around $16 million. That’s a huge win in Hollywood math.
The movie resonated because it wasn't just about a guy in a basement (The Grabber). It was basically a dark fairy tale about childhood trauma and the '70s. Everything about it—the rotary phone, the corduroy jackets, the grainy film look—screamed 1978 Denver. It felt authentic.
The Mystery of the Sequel
Now, if you're looking at your calendar in early 2026 and wondering why you're seeing "Black Phone" in the news again, it's because of the sequel. The Black Phone 2 has been the talk of the town recently.
Universal and Blumhouse finally pulled the trigger on a second one, and it just recently hit theaters. The Black Phone 2 came out on October 17, 2025. It’s pretty rare for a horror sequel to bring back the entire original cast—especially when the villain literally died in the first one—but they found a way. Scott Derrickson returned to direct, and Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw came back as Finney and Gwen.
Watching it Today: Streaming and Beyond
If you're trying to catch up right now, you've got options. The first movie is a staple on Peacock and often rotates onto other platforms like Prime Video or Netflix depending on where you live.
As for the new stuff, as of January 16, 2026, The Black Phone 2 just started streaming exclusively on Peacock. So if you missed the theatrical run last October, you can now watch the Grabber's "return" from your couch.
There's also a weird "hidden" entry in the franchise. In 2023, a movie called V/H/S/85 was released. It features a segment called "Dreamkill," which was also directed by Scott Derrickson. Fans eventually figured out that it's actually set in the same universe as The Black Phone. It’s a cool little Easter egg for the die-hards.
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Actionable Next Steps
If you're looking to dive into this universe properly, don't just stop at the movies.
- Read the Source Material: Grab a copy of Joe Hill’s 20th Century Ghosts. The short story is only about 30 pages and gives you a much better look at the supernatural "rules" of the phone.
- Watch the "Dreamkill" segment: Check out V/H/S/85 on Shudder or AMC+. It helps bridge the gap between the first and second movies in terms of the vibe.
- Check the Streaming Apps: Since The Black Phone 2 just dropped on streaming yesterday (Jan 16), keep an eye out for "double feature" bundles on VOD platforms like Vudu or Apple TV. They usually discount the first one when the sequel arrives.
The world of The Grabber is a lot bigger than just one release date. Whether you count 2021 or 2022 as the "real" start, the phone is still ringing.