There are two major players in the horror movie game: A24 and Blumhouse. John Hodges, David Fenkel and Daniel Katz founded A24 in 2012 and Jason Blum started his company in 2000. Both are famous and beloved for putting out well-done and discussion-worthy scary movies, and when fans see new releases that they look forward to checking out, the movie is likely an A24 or Blumhouse production.
When horror fans think about the quality of movies put out by each company, it's definitely tough to say who puts out the best films as they are fairly comparable and equal. When fans compare A24 and Blumhouse, who would win?
When horror fans think about whether A24 or Blumhouse makes better movies, one big question comes up: do people prefer elevated horror or more mainstream, fun, and entertaining flicks? For the most part, it could be argued that A24 puts out films that are in the elevated horror category and Blumhouse makes popular horror movies. Both films are necessary and important, and neither type is better than the other. It's all about what people are looking for and what they're in the mood for.
Some of A24's most famous and beloved horror releases include The Lighthouse (2019), X (2022), Hereditary (2018), and Midsommar (2019). Blumhouse's most well-known movies include Paranormal Activity (2007), The Purge franchise which began in 2013, Unfriended (2014), and the Halloween trilogy which began in 2018. Blumhouse also has some gems like Ma (2019) which haven't gotten enough attention but definitely deserve to be seen by everyone. A film like Truth Or Dare (2018) might be a disappointing Blumhouse movie but fans can count on the company for fun, creative, compelling stories that are sure to get attention. At the same time, fans of A24's films love that the company isn't afraid to tell artistic and interesting stories with dark themes.
It's tough to answer if A24 or Blumhouse has better content because at the end of the day, it really depends on what horror fans are looking for. It could be argued that Blumhouse has one major release that is elevated horror: the super successful and impressive 2017 film Get Out. Fans can't wait to see Jordan Peele's Nope which is sure to raise big and important questions as well. It could also be argued that A24 has a movie coming out in August 2022 that could be put in the fun category and could also be a movie that Blumhouse would make: Bodies Bodies Bodies. Directed by Halina Reijn, A24's Bodies Bodies Bodies stars Amandla Stenberg and Pete Davidson and tells the scary story of friends playing a game during a party. Both Nope and Bodies Bodies Bodies are sure to get lots of people talking this summer and the films have an equal amount of buzz and excitement surrounding them.
The ultimate showdown might be between two films that are widely considered to be the best horror movies of the past few years: Get Out and Hereditary. It could be argued that these movies are completely equal in terms of performances, storytelling, shocks, scares, and social/political/religious commentary. Both films make people think, talk to each other, and consider big questions that don't have simple answers. Get Out is a Blumhouse production and A24 put out Hereditary, and horror fans appreciate the artistry behind both films. It's fair to say that each movie has inspired other filmmakers and changed the horror movie game and everyone is watching to see what the talented and impressive Ari Aster and Jordan Peele work on next.
When it comes to 2022 horror releases, fans are looking forward to Blumhouse's 2022 horror movies, but A24 knocked it out of the park with Ti West's X, which premiered at South by Southwest in March 2022. This movie is absolutely incredible, with solid performances, a stunning setting, twisty moments, and killers who are very different from slasher villains. Horror filmmakers can learn from X and it definitely seems like it will be hard to top this movie. It does what a contemporary horror movie should do as it's a shocking and awe-inspiring story with big moments, twists that are logical, and some nods to classic flicks.
While Blumhouse does put out great movies that are in genres other than horror, A24 might win there, as their non-horror films include Spring Breakers (2012), Moonlight (2016), Eighth Grade (2018), and Lady Bird (2017). It's definitely true that both A24 and Blumhouse are putting out incredibly well-made horror films and both companies deserve praise. When fans really think about it, though, people associate Blumhouse more with the horror genre, so in terms of word and mouth and buzz, they might win.