As a long-time admirer of the horror genre and its ability to surprise and captivate audiences alike, I must say that the recent box office successes of ‘The Substance‘ and ‘Terrifier 3’ have left me utterly spellbound. The former, with Demi Moore delivering a performance worthy of Oscar consideration, is a testament to the genre’s ability to elevate itself, while the latter serves as a shining example of what independent filmmaking can achieve when passion meets perseverance.
Despite some skepticism within the industry, it’s worth noting that the horror genre remains one of the most profitable genres at the box office. These movies are often cost-effective to produce and boast a dedicated fanbase who will watch regardless of the film’s quality. However, audiences tend to flock more when the project pushes the boundaries of the genre, such as with films like The Substance and Terrifier 3. In the case of The Substance, Demi Moore’s body horror satire has been a comeback success story that could garner significant awards attention. Meanwhile, Terrifier 3 showcased the power of independent filmmaking and distribution. Both films have achieved considerable box office success, with their stories continuing to unfold as they reach new milestones.
By the Deadline, “The Substance” is projected to earn around $70-75 million globally, maintaining its impressive box office streak. Streaming service MUBI invested $12.5 million in acquiring “The Substance”, with a final production budget of approximately $17.5 million. The movie’s performance has been nothing short of spectacular, both domestically and internationally, as positive word of mouth fuels its success. “The Substance” made $3.2 million in its U.S. debut and despite losing theaters week after week, its percentage drops have been remarkably steady, particularly for a horror film. After its opening weekend, it experienced declines of 35.8%, 33.4%, 18.5%, 21.9%, 27.8%, 22.5%, 50.7%, and this weekend’s 43.1%. It’s worth noting that as a film loses screens, declines usually increase, but “The Substance” defied this trend. The movie has now grossed $16.2 million in the U.S., making it MUBI’s most successful release in America to date.
The news about the movie’s performance is even more encouraging internationally, with a gross of $51.4 million. In Latin America alone, it has amassed $20 million, with Mexico contributing $10 million due to horror being a popular genre there. It seems that the film is resonating strongly with horror fans globally, which could enhance its prospects during awards season as it stands a good chance of being recognized in key categories.
‘The Substance’ & ‘Terrifier 3’ Prove the Box Office Viability of the Horror Genre
The news is also incredible for Terrifier 3, a film ending its box office run on a massive note. Made for $2 million, Terrifier 3 has grossed $85.2 million to date, making it one of the most profitable films of 2024. Keep in mind that the film was an independent effort with zero studio help. There were no TV spots on constant rotation, as the groundswell for the third installment was made by fans via a rabid online presence. On top of the fact that the first two films have gained in popularity since their release, Terrifier 3 proved that the franchise was much more than a niche product. Art The Clown had officially entered the mainstream.
The progress of the Terrifier film series at the box office is truly astounding. Originally, it started as a crowdfunded project in 2018 with a minimal release, generating an impressive $421,798 on a budget estimated between $35,000 and $55,000. The sequel also relied on crowd funding, and it surpassed its goal of $50,000 by a significant margin, amassing $250,000 – a 430% increase over their requested amount. Remarkably, Terrifier 2 raked in $400,000 on its opening day and ultimately earned $15.7 million during its entire run, all on a budget of just $250,000.
As a die-hard cinephile, I can confidently say that when the curtains opened for “Terrifier 3,” the industry took notice of something unprecedented. This flick outshone the second weekend of “Joker: Folie à Deux” and stole the spotlight from more high-profile studio releases. It was evident that the film’s success would pave the way for other independent projects to emulate its release strategy, given its impressive $85.2 million gross. Now standing as the highest-grossing unrated movie of all time, it’s clear that “Terrifier 3” is just further evidence that horror movies continue to be a smart bet in the world of cinema.
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2024-11-18 19:02