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 this year, with several films breaking box office records and surpassing $1 billion in domestic sales. According to Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends at Comscore, horror movies have already reached a milestone not seen since 2017. The Conjuring: Last Rites, the latest installment in The Conjuring franchise, had a massive opening weekend with $84 million in domestic sales. This success follows on the heels of other notable horror films, including Ryan Coogler's Sinners and Zach Cregger's Weapons, both of which performed well at the box office. Industry experts point to a combination of factors contributing to the horror movie boom. "People are looking for escapism, and horror movies provide that," said Dergarabedian. "They're also a great way to explore complex themes in a more palatable way." The success of horror movies is not limited to box office sales. The genre has also had a significant cultural impact, with films like Get Out (2017) sparking conversations about racism and social justice. Horror movie fans are eager for more content, and studios are responding by greenlighting new projects. "There's a lot of interest in horror right now," said a studio executive on condition of anonymity. "We're seeing a lot of great scripts coming through the door." The Conjuring: Last Rites is just one of several horror movies that have performed well this year, including Final Destination Bloodlines and The Black Phone. With more films on the horizon, it's clear that 2025 will be remembered as a banner year for horror movies. Background Horror movies have always been a staple of the film industry, but recent years have seen a resurgence in popularity. According to Comscore, horror movies accounted for 23% of all domestic box office sales in 2022. Industry Insights Industry experts point to a combination of factors contributing to the horror movie boom, including: Escapism: Horror movies provide an escape from reality, allowing audiences to immerse themselves in a thrilling and often frightening experience. Complex themes: Horror movies offer a way to explore complex themes like racism, social justice, and mental health in a more palatable way. Cultural Impact Horror movies have had a significant cultural impact, with films like Get Out (2017) sparking conversations about racism and social justice. The genre continues to evolve, incorporating diverse perspectives and tackling complex issues. Next Developments With the success of horror movies this year, studios are greenlighting new projects and audiences are eager for more content. As one studio executive noted, "There's a lot of interest in horror right now... We're seeing a lot of great scripts coming through the door." *Reporting by Vox.*