Box Office Boogeymen: The Billion-Dollar Horror Franchises of Hollywood
The horror genre has been a popular staple in Hollywood since the early days of cinema. Horror movies often have a loyal audience and can be made on a relatively low budget, making them a profitable investment. Several horror franchises have crossed the $1 billion mark at the box office, with the Conjuring Universe leading the pack.
The Conjuring franchise, including spin-offs like Annabelle and The Nun, has grossed over $2.9 billion at the box office. Alien, a mix of sci-fi and horror, is another popular franchise on the list. It was even named the greatest horror franchise in a 2021 tournament.
It, based on Stephen King's novel, became the biggest horror hit in 2017, grossing over $1.17 billion across two movies. Scream, with its recent success at the box office, has secured its place in the group of billion-dollar horror franchises.
Resident Evil, known for its action-horror blend, has resonated with global audiences and is set to expand with a reboot. Saw, the biggest horror franchise from the 2000s, has remained consistent across its ten movies, with more on the way.
Most of the franchises on this list have new movies in development, ensuring their continued success and adding to their box office totals. The horror genre continues to thrive, with audiences eager for more scares and thrills from their favorite franchises.