Over the last 18 months, all movies released to theatres have struggled to reach profitability. However, horror films stand out for having been able to deliver some measure of box office success. Last year, in the height of the pandemic, “The Wretched” generated more than $4.5 million in ticket sales on the strength of drive-in screenings over the summer. This was a sizable profit for a film produced for only $66,000. In 2021, the horror titles “A Quiet Place Part 2”, “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It” and “Candyman” have all been profitable.
The horror genre is well-suited for the moment because these films appeal to younger audiences who are less concerned with the risks of gathering in public settings. Horror films are also less expensive to produce because they tend not to rely on sophisticated CGI and special effects and use actors who are less well-known than the headliners featured in big-budget blockbusters.