Top 10 Highest Grossing Horror Movies of 2024

Overall, 2024 has proven to be a great year for horror films. The historical genre has produced a number of critically acclaimed films, many of which have been praised as some of the best horror films of the 2020s. From exciting new additions that claim to be the new kid on the block to electrifying sequels to prominent horror films, the best The year's horror films received rave reviews from fans and critics alike for their innate ability to shock, disgust and terrorize in blockbuster form. fashion.

However, while it definitely doesn't hurt, all the critical acclaim in the world is no guarantee of commercial success in Hollywood. While many of 2024's best horror films produced impressive commercial returns to match their rave reviews, several prominent genre releases proved that good feedback was decidedly not a necessity for financial success. Despite having been brutally criticized by the vast majority of critics, some of the the highest grossing horror films of 2024 it still managed to pull in respectable box office numbers. ​

10

The first omen

Worldwide gross: US$53 million

Serving as a prequel to the seminal 1976 horror offering, Richard Donner's The omen, The first omen follows Margaret Daino, an American nun who discovers a sinister conspiracy to bring about the birth of the Antichrist after being sent to work in a Roman orphanage. The film received rave reviews upon release, with first-time director Arkasha Stevenson's film boasting an 81% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Endowed with a budget of around 30 million dollars, The first omen The worldwide gross of US$53 million represented an impressive commercial return for the latest installment in the long-running horror franchise. Delivering what is undoubtedly the best Omen film since the iconic 1976 original decidedly doesn't hurt the film's broader reputation either, with critics directing particular praise toward the stellar performances from Nell Tiger Free, Charles Dance, and Bill Nighy.

9

Night Swimming

Worldwide gross: US$55 million

Featuring big names like Wyatt Russell and Oscar-nominated actress Kerry Condon, hopes were high for 2024 Night Swimming before the film's release. The 2024 horror film chronicles the terrifying trials and tribulations faced by a young family after they discover that their pool is haunted by an evil supernatural presence, with the film directed by Bryce McGuire making its theatrical debut.

Unfortunately for all fans hoping for an excellent horror film, Night Swimming has proven to be dead from a quality standpoint. Almost universally panned by critics, Blumhouse's monotonous and uninspired production received a measly 20% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, McGuire's film was a commercial success, recouping a relatively small budget of $15 million to gross just under $55 million worldwide.

8

Don't speak badly

Worldwide gross: US$76 million

A remake of the 2022 Danish-Dutch film of the same name Lake Eden director James Watkins, psychological horror Don't speak badly landed as one of the most critically acclaimed genre offerings of the year. Led by a gloriously disturbing performance from James McAvoy, the film follows a family visiting a couple they met on vacation, with proceedings descending into a depraved mess of death and deceit in short order.

Boasting commercial returns to match the film's positive reviews Don't speak badly has proven to be one of the most financially impressive horror films of 2024. Although it was produced on a relatively modest budget of just $15 million, Watkins' film has grossed over $76 million worldwide, underlining the film's credentials. as one of the most successful horror films of the year. tours across the board.

7

The substance

Worldwide gross: US$77 million

A prime example of a long horror film that's worth watching to the end, The substance follows Elisabeth Sparkle, a former A-Lister who uses an experimental drug to create a younger version of herself. This state of affairs allows him to relive his youth, but with dire consequences. Led by Demi Moore in a career-best performance, Coralie Fargeat's film received effusive praise from critics for its shocking body horror visuals, mind-bending premise and wicked sense of dark humor.

The substance It proved to be a box office success as well, with the film grossing an impressive $77.6 million worldwide against a respectable budget of $17.5 million. A masterful sophomore effort from Fargeat that will certainly establish the director as a name to watch in the future, the Moore-led film stands as one of the year's best horror films, as well as one of its most profitable.

6

Terrifying 3

Worldwide gross: US$88 million

The third installment of Terrifying film series, Terrifying 3 saw the supernatural horror franchise return against the backdrop of Christmas. The film follows Lauren LaVera's Sienna Shaw after the events of Terrifying 2, as she is once again pursued by her former tormentor, Art the Clown. Damien Leone's horror was well received by critics, obtaining an approval rating of 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, making it one of the most positively reviewed releases in the franchise.

As with the other films in the fan-favorite horror series, Terrifying 3 is an excellent example of how to do a lot with little in terms of financial support. The film was made on a paltry budget of just $2 million, a remarkable feat considering it ended up grossing almost US$90 million worldwide.

5

Exuma

Worldwide gross: US$93 million

A case study of the macabre consequences of disturbing a mysterious tomb brought about by the stellar efforts of a talented cast, Jang Jae-Hyun's electrifying supernatural horror Exuma is the front-runner for the most unexpected horror film success story of 2024. Premiering at the Berlinale in early 2024, the South Korean cinematic offering was one of the best-received horror films of the year, garnering an exemplary approval rating from the 95% Rotten Tomatoes.

Delivering a whopping $93 million worldwide return to match the film's string of excellent reviews, Exuma is not only one of the highest-grossing horror films of 2024. In addition to being the highest-grossing South Korean film of the year Exuma The eye-watering commercial success makes it the sixth highest-grossing South Korean film in cinema history.

4

Long legs

Worldwide gross: US$126 million

Thanks to one of the most inspired promotional campaigns in recent memory and the news that Nicolas Cage would play the titular serial killer, Osgood Perkins' Long legs was one of the most anticipated horror films of the year. Carried by an electric turn from Cage that alternates between laugh-out-loud ridiculous and downright terrifying as Maika Monroe's Lee Harker desperately races against time to stop him, Long legs has the makings of a cult classic.

Riding a wave of near-universal critical acclaim, Perkins' masterfully disturbing offering grossed nearly $127 million worldwide, underlining the film's credentials as the front-runner for the most successful horror film of 2024. director's most profitable in his career to date Long legs also boasts the award for highest-grossing independent film of the year, as well as highest-grossing Neon film.

3

Smile 2

Worldwide gross: US$138 million

One of the horror genre's most prominent modern examples of a sequel that surpasses the original in terms of quality, Smile 2 continued the story of the smiling entity in an electrifying way. Led by a knockout of Anatomy of a scandal star Naomi Scott as pop singer Skye Riley, the latest victim of the series' supernatural tormentor, Parker Finn's psychological horror built on the foundation laid by the 2022 original to produce a top-notch sequel.

While it didn't live up to the jaw-dropping commercial returns of the original release, Smile 2 is still one of the most profitable horror films of the year. In addition to earning a commendable 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Finn's pic has grossed more than $138 million worldwide, highlighting the considerable potential for Smile to blossom into one of horror's new flagship franchises.

2

A peaceful place: first day

Worldwide gross: US$261 million

The first installment of A peaceful place film series not featuring the Abbott family, 2024 spin-off prequel film A peaceful place: first day depicts the early stages of the franchise's apocalypse from the perspective of a new set of characters. Led by Joseph Quinn and Oscar-winning actress Lupita N'yongo, Michael Sarnoski's apocalyptic horror film was praised by critics, with many highlighting the chemistry between the aforementioned duo as a key element in the film's success.

While the prequel failed to unseat the original films' pair of high box office returns, A peaceful place: first day still proved to be the second most financially successful horror film of 2024 by a considerable stretch. Sarnoski's film grossed more than $261 million worldwide, more than enough to continue the franchise's history of impressive commercial returns.

1

Alien: Romulus

Worldwide gross: US$351 million

An independent offer in Foreigner movie timeline set between Foreigner and Aliens, Alien: Romulus proved to be an inspired return to top form for the storied franchise. Chronicling the horrific experiences of six young space colonists who are attacked by Xenomorphs while exploring a derelict ship, Fede Alvarez's film has been described by some critics as the best offering in the iconic film series since 1986. Aliens.

According to the Foreigner the high reputation of the franchise, Alien: Romulus beat the competition to land as the highest-grossing horror film of 2024 for some distance. A high-profile case study in claustrophobia and extraterrestrial suspense led by a superb performance from Cailee Spaeny, Alvarez's film scored an impressive worldwide return of more than $350 million, besting its closest rival by nearly $100 million for gain the status of Foreigner the second highest grossing film in the franchise.