Horror Movies are sometimes seen as the black sheep of cinema. There have been a lot of questionably bad horror flicks over the years but they do seem to be held under scrutiny from many of the prominent critics in the industry. Thankfully, that mindset hasn't run rampant through the general public, with many dedicated fans of the genre lining up at theaters to watch the latest terrifying offerings.
Some Horror Films have managed to do exceedingly well at the Box Office. Although they're still not as prominent as other types of films, they bring in more than enough cash flow to cover budgetary costs and make a hefty profit. Here's a look at some of the most successful Horror movies ever.
Updated December 2nd, 2021 by Russ Boswell: Although Halloween has come and gone and most people are eagerly awaiting Christmas and the Holiday season, there are still many fans gobbling up any and every piece of Horror entertainment they possibly can. Some of the best Horror films take place during the holidays and the snow and cold is the perfect excuse to bundle up and check out some of these best horror films on Netflix or another streaming service. To shine a better light on the most successful Horror movies, the following list has been updated and now includes even more entries.
It's important to note that the following numbers are based on the DOMESTIC BOX OFFICE for these films, rather than their worldwide gains.
13 Gremlins ($148.17 Million)
The 80s were rife with some of the best horror movies to ever hit the genre. Some big names in Horror got their start here, developing into icons that we know and love in the modern age. In terms of "classic Horror Comedies," it's hard to beat Gremlins. Everything about this movie oozes 80s aesthetic, with an interesting hook and enough action to keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
Regarded by some as a B-Movie, Gremlins is one of the most entertaining "monster movies" to ever hit the silver screen. Those that have never seen it would be mistaken to dismiss it from its rough-looking exterior. Gremlins is a AAA joyride, filled to the brim with great visuals, amazing practical effects, and some hilarious moments.
12 What Lies Beneath ($155.46 Million)
In 2000, the world was treated to a Horror film featuring a powerhouse cast in Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer. It was met with mixed reviews but that didn't stop tons of movie-goers from filling theaters to see it on the big screen.
It's an interesting spin on the haunted house formula, albeit with some dark twists that unravel slowly over the course of the film. It features some alarming scenes, a haunting premise, and an ending sequence that will leave most viewers on the edge of their seats.
11 Halloween (2018) ($159.34 Million)
The quintessential Halloween-time Slasher flick has been through many iterations over the years. The story of Michael Myers has been around since the original film dropped in 1978. Much like Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween has managed to withstand the test of time. A new film is set to hit theaters this year (2021) and Horror fans can't seem to get enough of the mask-wearing silent antagonist.
Although the original film was a massive success in relation to its budget and earnings, it's the remake in 2018 that finds itself on this list. Tons of people lined up to see the return of Michael Myers and it helped to kick off the series once more.
10 Us ($175.08 Million)
Jordan Peele was best known for his skit show with Keegan-Michael Key and his incredible acumen for Comedy, but the accomplished actor was hiding some serious talent for Horror. His second leap into the genre, Us, brought in a huge haul at the box office, further cementing him as one of the best Horror directors of this age.
Us is a truly unsettling look at the possibility of Doppelgangers, creepy entities that look and act just like the individual they're copying, although they usually have sinister motives. It's a must-watch for fans of Peele's nail-biting directorial style.
9 Get Out ($176.04 Million)
Jordan Peele's first feature film comes in just above Us, and it's highly likely the film garnered so much attention thanks to the release of Get Out. A smash-hit at the box office domestically, and beloved by fans all over the world, Get Out is a smart, and incredibly terrifying dialogue on some pretty heavy subject matter. It's a slow burn, starting out relatively normal before slowly building speed as it hurls itself into dark territory.
It's easy to see why the film was such a success, thanks to its smart writing, creepy premise, and incredible acting from lead actor Daniel Kaluuya.
8 A Quiet Place ($188.02 Million)
Like Jordan Peele, another comedic actor, John Krasinski, is making a name for himself in the Horror genre. Krasinski was also holding his terrifying genius in and put it on full display when he released A Quiet Place. The thrilling monster movie was terrifying audiences in theaters and it did so well at the box office it immediately warranted a second film.
It's an incredibly intense ride as a family tries their best to live a life surrounded by blind monsters with super-sensitive hearing.
7 World War Z ($202.36 Million)
Zombie movies filled the last decade thanks to an increase in attention towards the genre. Many directors were cranking out zombie flicks, while game creators and television studios were busy working on new IPs, zombie-inspired crossovers, and everything in-between.
One of the best things to stem from the fad was World War Z, an inspired zombie film featuring Brad Pitt on a quest to stop a rampant virus from ravaging the world. It's a classic "post-apocalyptic" trope, but with a small twist concerning the roaming undead. The zombies in World War Z aren't the slow, mindless type. They're fast, intelligent, and so much more frightening.
6 It Chapter Two ($211.59 Million)
The remake of It was incredibly successful, more so than many could imagine, so there was already so much generated hype for It Chapter Two. Much like the original "mini-series," the iconic horror masterpiece had to be split into two parts just to tell the entire story. It was amazing to see the finish to Stephen King's elaborate story brought into the modern age.
It Chapter Two may not be as alarming as the first release, but it still offers up tons of scares and some incredibly frightening imagery.
5 The Exorcist ($232.91 Million)
The Exorcist was one of the most impressive films of its time, held up by incredible acting and some terrifying practical effects. It helped to jumpstart the "possession" side of Horror, which is still haunting fans today. The film feels claustrophobic thanks to its smart cinematography and the fact that most of the film takes place in an enclosed environment.
The Exorcist was a smash-hit at the box office, and although there were sequels in the franchise, none of them held a candle to the iconic original film. It's one of the best Horror movies ever created and a must-watch for fans of the genre.
4 Ghostbusters (1984) ($242.2 million)
It's hard to classify Ghostbusters as a horror film compared to the other truly terrifying spectacles on this list but at its roots, it's exactly that. Call it a family-friendly Horror flick if anything, Ghostbusters broke down the doors at the box office thanks to a powerhouse cast including comedy greats Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson. Harold Ramis rounds out the group, breathing life into a team of paranormal hunters that use high-tech weaponry to protect their city from benevolent spirits.
Ghostbusters is remembered fondly as one of the best horror comedies of its time and has stayed relevant enough to inspire multiple reboots in the modern age.
3 Jaws (1975) ($260 million)
Although it may seem more like an action film to most, Jaws was horrifying enough to give even the bravest viewers some reservations about jumping into the ocean. It stands as one of the best "fish stories" of our time but manages to illicit enough fear and tension thanks to its stellar special effects and musical scores that many consider it to be a Horror movie above all else.
Jaws scared up an immense amount of money at the domestic box office and even more worldwide, solidifying itself as one of the most important films of the 1970s and spawning a slew of sequels (although it's arguable that none are as good as the original).
2 The Sixth Sense (1999) ($293.5 million)
Some of the best horror films feature truly outstanding performances from child actors. Haley Joel Osment stole the show in 1999's The Sixth Sense, doing a fantastic job in portraying a child medium that found himself suddenly afflicted with the supernatural ability to see and communicate with ghosts. His fantastic acting and character arc helped carry the film (as did an appearance from powerhouse Bruce Willis) but The Sixth Sense managed to stand on its own at the Box Office thanks to its impressive storyline.
It's easily one of the most enthralling "ghost stories" ever put to film and has one of the twisties endings in the modern age.
1 It (2017) ($327.48M)
Stephen King's It was easily one of the best stories the author ever created and although the book is immensely unsettling in its imagery, the original "mini-series" amped up the scares with a masterful performance from Tim Curry as Pennywise.
The modern reboot of the iconic Horror series took its own liberties, transforming the funny-looking clown into a sleek, modernized version that was much more terrifying than its original counterpart. This film captivates audiences, both new fans of the series and those that loved the original version.