"The story of horror in 2025 is a story of triumph. In 2025, horror made up 17% of North American ticket sales, up from 4% a decade ago. Similarly, the number of horror films going into production increased 21% between 2023 and 2024. The cause-and-effect there is obvious: More horror movies in theaters means more people are going to see horror movies, duh."
"The real story, however, is in two original horror titles, both of which easily passed that $100 million domestic milestone. Ryan Coogler's period vampire movie "Sinners" was an artistic and box-office juggernaut in 2025, steadily building support through bravura filmmaking like the barnburner (pun intended) production number that's arguably the scene of the year. Zach Cregger's buzzy "Barbarian" follow-up "Weapons," meanwhile, utilizes an unconventional chapter-based structure whose shifting points of view skillfully reveal (and withhold) information when the audience needs it most."
Horror experienced a major resurgence in 2025, accounting for 17% of North American ticket sales, up from 4% a decade earlier. Production of horror films rose 21% between 2023 and 2024. Studios released multiple late-franchise sequels, with two—Final Destination: Bloodlines and The Conjuring: Last Rites—earning more than $100 million domestically, and the latter approaching $500 million worldwide. Two original titles, Ryan Coogler's Sinners and Zach Cregger's Weapons, also surpassed $100 million domestically, driven by distinctive filmmaking and narrative structures. Warner Bros. released both originals, and corporate futures around the studio remain uncertain.
Read at Roger Ebert
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