Highest-Grossing Horror Film
What is the highest-grossing horror film?
We all have our own ideas about what we think the best horror movie is, but what about the most popular? One way to measure how well a movie does or how it ranks in terms of popularity is by measuring and comparing gross income (how much money a movie makes). Forbes.com did all the work for us here and It (2017) is listed at the top of their highest-grossing horror films list at $327.5 million lifetime income. The sequel isn’t far behind, with It: Chapter Two (2019) placing number six on the list at $195.7 million lifetime income.
It (2017)
The newest adaption to Stephen King’s famous killer clown book follows Bill Denbrough (Jaeden Martell), Eddie Kaspbrak (Jack Grazer), Ben Hanscom (Jeremy Taylor), Richie Tozier (Finn Wolfhard), Stan Uris (Wyatt Oleff), Mike Hanlon (Chosen Jacobs), and Beverly Marsh (Sophia Lillis) and their fight against It (Bill Skarsgard).
After Bill Denbrough’s brother, Georgie, goes missing, Bill enlists his friends to help him investigate a theory about where his brother may be. Bill is haunted by his brother’s disappearance and is convinced that his body is at the Barrens. Through their investigations, the group of kids learn that the town of Derry has an extensive history of missing children, going back centuries. After finding out the truth and learning about It, the group joins together against the monster that is hunting the children of Derry.
Fun Facts about the Film
Everyone that has watched the movie is sure to notice the genuine bond between the members of The Losers’ Club. This obvious relationship was actually growing before filming began; when director Muschietti sent the kids to a bicycle camp. The camp helped the kids start building their friendship, while also getting them ready for the numerous bike scenes throughout the movie.
Even though we couldn’t picture anyone else in the role now, Bill Skarsgard was actually fourth in line for the part of It. He was in line behind Tim Curry, Ben Mendelsohn, and Will Poulter. Once filming started, the actor was separated from the rest of the cast and isolated. This separation was to get the most authentic reaction from the children during their first encounter with It. Skarsgard said that he agreed that the separation would create the desired effect but that it made the experience lonely at times.
The child stars from It (2017) were actually asked who they would like to play their adult selves in the sequel. Only two of the stars chosen by the kids were actually given roles in It: Chapter Two (2019). Finn Wolfhard chose Bill Hader to play Richie Tozier’s adult role and Sophia Lillis chose Jessica Chastain to play Beverly Marsh’s adult role.
Adjusting for Inflation
The Forbes.com list of highest-grossing horror movies also includes a list that is adjusted for inflation, accounting for rising theater ticket costs. On this list, Jaws (1975) is on the top with a gross income adjusted for inflation of $1.154 billion. The same adjusted list has It (2017) at number six with a gross income adjusted for inflation of $328.9 million. No matter which list you choose, there are some great leaders with other top performers including The Exorcist (1973), The Sixth Sense (1999), Ghostbusters (1984), and Gremlins (1984).
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