The film “Sinners” is rapidly gaining momentum as an uncommon box office sensation that doesn’t occur frequently. Although its weekend earnings will provide a clearer picture of its potential domestic success, it appears destined at this point to rank among the top R-rated horror movies in terms of box office revenue. In fact, if it maintains strong performance in the following days, “Sinners” could surpass $200 million in North America, a remarkable figure for an horror film that is not suitable for audiences under 17 to attend alone.
In recent years, I’ve noticed a shift in the approach of Hollywood studios towards R-rated films, particularly those in the horror genre. Historically, there was a belief that an R-rating would deter younger audiences and negatively impact box office earnings. However, movies like the Deadpool trilogy have challenged this idea, demonstrating that an R-rating doesn’t necessarily mean box office doom. It’s also worth mentioning that some past R-rated horror films have proven to be unexpected blockbusters. These include a series of gruesome and terrifying films that, upon release, surprised many with their commercial success.
What’s The Biggest R-Rated Horror Movie In History?
As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but marvel at the fact that the most financially successful R-rated horror movie domestically, without considering inflation, is none other than 2017’s “It.” This chilling tale of Pennywise the clown raked in an astounding $328.82 million within our borders, shattering expectations for any horror film, especially an R-rated one. Released in early September and produced on a modest budget of $35 million, “It” was nothing short of a gold mine for Warner Bros./New Line Cinema. Similarly to the first “Deadpool” the year prior, “It” redefined the boundaries of success for R-rated films in North America.
In this region, a new horror film unseated the long-standing ruler previously held by the classic R-rated horror movie “The Exorcist.” Released in 1973, “The Exorcist” grossed an astonishing $231 million, making it one of the most successful films at that time. Contrary to expectations, the film’s dark content (which earned its R-rating) actually increased its popularity, turning it into a must-watch. It is hard to imagine such a film being shown in American cinemas just a decade ago, during the era of The Hays Code. An R-rating added to the appeal for “Exorcist” viewers, promising them a movie that could haunt their dreams for years.
In the realm of R-rated horror films, I find myself in awe of the unprecedented success of “Get Out.” Released not long before the phenomenon that was “It: Chapter Two,” this original masterpiece managed to earn an impressive $175.83 million domestically – a figure second only to “It: Chapter Two” ($211.59 million) among R-rated horror films surpassing the $200+ million mark.
At the time of its release, “Get Out” stood as the runner-up in domestic box office earnings for R-rated horror movies, trailing closely behind the legendary “The Exorcist.” This achievement is all the more remarkable considering that it was an original production with no established source material.
Joining the exclusive club of R-rated horror films to gross over $140+ million domestically are “Us” ($175.08 million), “Hannibal” ($165.09 million), the 2018 reboot of “Halloween” ($159.36 million), and the groundbreaking found-footage classic, “The Blair Witch Project” ($140.53 million). Each of these films has left an indelible mark on the horror genre, with their success serving as a testament to the power of compelling storytelling and the enduring appeal of well-crafted fear.
R-Rated Horror Hits Are Becoming More Common
If “Sinners” manages to earn between $180-190 million domestically, it will join an exclusive group of R-rated horror movies that have surpassed $150 million, a group previously consisting only of “The Exorcist” and “Hannibal”. Over the last eight years, this number has grown to include three more films, with “Sinners” set to make it four. This growth demonstrates the significant resurgence horror cinema has experienced in popular culture over the past decade.
In the 2000s and early 2010s, it appeared that the era of horror remakes and found-footage films set a limiting bar for how successful 21st-century horror movies could be at the domestic box office. However, films such as The Conjuring, It Follows, and Don’t Breathe, which emerged in the mid-2010s, sparked a rejuvenation of horror cinema that continues today. The range of horror movies being shown in regular theatrical releases has grown, mirroring an expansion in the moviegoing audience. It’s challenging to imagine a film like Longlegs receiving a significant theatrical release 15 years ago. Yet, it became a major summer release in 2024, and audiences flocked to see such an unanticipated horror film.
Due to an influx of various horror movies being shown in multiplexes, there’s been a rise in opportunities for R-rated horror films to excel financially at the box office. Despite this trend, it’s still astounding to see blockbusters like the two It installments, Us, or Sinners performing so well. Conventional wisdom suggests that R-rated horror movies, especially those not derived from any prior sources, wouldn’t thrive financially. However, titles like Sinners are not only dominating at the box office but also setting records as the highest grossing R-rated horror films ever made.
Sinners is now playing in theaters, It is now streaming on Max.
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2025-04-28 04:42