In the midst of a flat year at the box office, the horror genre has surged in 2025 with $1.12 billion in ticket sales at North American theatres. This is already close to the record set in 2017 of $1.16 billion, and is sure to pass that earlier mark in October with a slate of new scary features, including HIM, THE STANGERS: CHAPTER 2, BLACK PHONE,2, and BONE LAKE.
Horror’s success so far this year can be attributed to a string of well-received titles, including SINNERS, FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES, WEAPONS, and THE CONJURING: LAST RITES. What’s more, horror movies tend to be lower-budget affairs, limiting the financial risks taken by studios when compared to higher-profile action, fantasy, and other genres loaded with big-name stars and special effects.
This formula for success has been used by both large studios such as Warner Bros. and specialty distributors like Neon and A24. In fact, more than 40 horror films have already been released this year, providing a crucial role in filling out the release calendar.
