Yes: Finney kills the Grabber at the end of The Black Phone. Black Phone 2 does not undo that ending. It brings the Grabber back as a supernatural threat from beyond the grave, with Gwen’s visions drawing the siblings toward the story’s next mystery.
How the first film ends
Finney Shaw, a clever 13-year-old, is kidnapped and imprisoned in a soundproof basement by the Grabber. A disconnected black phone on the wall rings, and Finney hears the voices of the Grabber’s previous victims. Their calls help him understand how to resist and escape.
![The Black Phone [4K + Blu-ray + Digital Code] [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41E8DGAAe8L._SL160_.jpg)
With help from his sister Gwen, Finney turns the Grabber’s methods against him and kills him. The first film also exposes the murders the Grabber had hidden. The central continuity point is clear: Finney survives, and the Grabber dies.
How the Grabber returns in Black Phone 2
The sequel treats the Grabber’s death as real. Universal’s official synopsis says he torments Finn from beyond the grave by menacing Gwen. His return is supernatural, not a reveal that he survived the first film.
#1 Best Overall
Peacock’s spoiler explainer gives more detail: Gwen’s visions connect the siblings to Alpine Lake Camp and three boys the Grabber killed there and hid. Peacock describes the sequel’s threat as operating through a dream realm; the brothers’ deaths are tied to the power he wields from beyond the grave, and finding them is presented as the way to end that power.
Why Gwen matters to the sequel
Gwen’s visions and dreams drive the investigation. They point the siblings toward the Grabber’s earlier crimes and help them uncover the history behind his supernatural return. The sequel takes place four years after the first film, when the siblings travel to Alpine Lake, an infamous youth camp, to investigate the earlier victims, according to Peacock’s overview.
Rank #2
- Runtime: 114 minutes
What to know about Black Phone 2
- Genre and rating: Universal lists the 2025 sequel as a horror/thriller rated R for strong violent content, gore, teen drug use and language.
- Runtime: Universal lists the runtime as 1 hour 54 minutes.
- Where to watch: Peacock said on January 16, 2026, that the film was streaming exclusively on Peacock. Availability can vary by territory, so check the local service listing.
The first film is based on Joe Hill’s short story “The Black Phone,” according to Universal’s film page. That source does not establish that the short story contains the sequel’s plot.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Official film formats
For viewers who want to revisit the story, Universal lists these formats on its home-entertainment pages. The listings establish available formats, not prices, picture-quality comparisons or current stock.
Rank #3
![The Black Phone: 2-Movie Collection [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41lMb60LGnL._SL160_.jpg)
- Scott Derrickson directs this horror double bill starring Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw.
| Release | Formats listed by Universal |
|---|---|
| The Black Phone | 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD |
| Black Phone 2 | 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital, Blu-ray + Digital and DVD |
| Two-film collection | 4K Ultra HD + Digital |
See Universal’s original-film page, sequel page and November 3, 2025 home-entertainment announcement for the official format listings.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
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