Horror Movies Scream to New Heights: 2025 Sets Box Office Records

Horror Movie Boom: 2025 Sees Record-Breaking Success at the Box Office The horror movie genre has been on a tear in 2025, with several films breaking box office records and surpassing $1 billion in domestic ticket sales. According to Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketing at Comscore, this year's success is unprecedented, with horror movies dominating the charts since January. The Conjuring: Last Rites, the latest installment in The Conjuring franchise, had a massive opening weekend in May, raking in $84 million domestically. This follows on the heels of other successful horror films, including Ryan Coogler's Sinners and Zach Cregger's Weapons, which both performed surprisingly well at the box office. "We're seeing a resurgence of interest in horror movies," said Dergarabedian. "It's not just about the big franchises like Conjuring; we're also seeing success with smaller, more niche films that are appealing to a wider audience." Horror movies have long been a staple of popular culture, but 2025 has seen a significant increase in their popularity. According to Dergarabedian, this is due in part to the genre's ability to tap into current cultural anxieties and fears. "Horror movies often reflect the times we're living in," said Dergarabedian. "They provide a safe space for audiences to confront and process their emotions." The success of horror movies in 2025 has also been attributed to the growing diversity of the genre, with films like Sinners and Weapons featuring more diverse casts and crews. "We're seeing a shift towards more inclusive storytelling," said Dergarabedian. "Horror movies are no longer just about white, middle-class protagonists; they're now reflecting the complexities of our society." As the year comes to a close, it's clear that 2025 has been a banner year for horror movies. With several films still in theaters and more on the horizon, it's likely that this trend will continue into the new year. Background: Horror movies have always been a popular genre, but their success can be attributed to a combination of factors. The Conjuring franchise, which has been a consistent box office performer since its inception, has played a significant role in the current horror movie boom. Other films, such as Get Out and It, have also contributed to the genre's resurgence. Additional Perspectives: Industry insiders attribute the success of horror movies in 2025 to their ability to tap into current cultural anxieties and fears. "Horror movies provide a safe space for audiences to confront and process their emotions," said Dergarabedian. Audiences are also drawn to the genre's diversity, with films like Sinners and Weapons featuring more diverse casts and crews. Current Status: As of September 2025, horror movies have surpassed $1 billion in domestic ticket sales. With several films still in theaters and more on the horizon, it's likely that this trend will continue into the new year. Next Developments: Several horror movies are set to be released in the coming months, including a new installment of The Conjuring franchise. As the genre continues to evolve and adapt to changing audience tastes, it's clear that 2025 has been a banner year for horror movies. *Reporting by Vox.*