Top 50 Horror Films with the Highest Box Office Earnings Ever

Despite often receiving mixed reviews from critics, horror films consistently deliver big-budget scares that generate substantial revenue. Even the most outlandish horror movie can draw crowds if it appears remotely frightening and is supported by strong promotional campaigns.

For those seeking a film to set the Halloween spirit, here’s a list of the 50 most financially successful horror movies ever, as reported by Box Office Mojo. Decide for yourself whether they lived up to the buzz—and the massive profits.

1. It (2017)

Andy Muschietti’s take on Stephen King’s It was eagerly awaited, and even if it had disappointed audiences, it still would have raked in massive profits. Fortunately, the movie received critical acclaim, securing an impressive 86 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and even the most devoted King enthusiasts praised it. The film grossed an impressive $327,481,748.

2. The Sixth Sense (1999)

A defining horror movie of the 1990s, The Sixth Sense revealed a fresh dimension of Bruce Willis’s acting prowess and propelled Haley Joel Osment, who received an Oscar nomination for his performance, to Hollywood stardom. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, the film is famous for its unforgettable “I see dead people” line and earned $293,506,292.

3. The Exorcist (1973)

Widely regarded as one of the greatest horror films ever made, William Friedkin’s The Exorcist remains a timeless masterpiece. It made history as the first horror film to receive a Best Picture nomination at the Academy Awards and grossed $232,906,145.

4. It: Chapter Two (2019)

Just two years after Andy Muschietti’s It claimed the number one position on this list, its sequel has been rapidly climbing the ranks since its release in early September. The movie has already grossed over $195 million and continues to generate revenue.

5. What Lies Beneath (2000)

Despite featuring the star power of Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer, What Lies Beneath did not receive overwhelming praise from critics. Nevertheless, the eerie allure of a haunted house always draws large crowds, and the film managed to earn a significant $155,464,351.

6. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Credited with popularizing the “found footage” style that remains influential today, The Blair Witch Project became an unexpected hit, capturing attention by marketing its cast as “missing” or “deceased” during its promotional campaign. The film grossed $140,539,099, securing its place as one of the most profitable independent films in history.

7. The Conjuring (2013)

Hailed as one of the standout horror films of the 2010s, James Wan’s The Conjuring spawned a massive franchise, gaining notoriety for being rated R solely because it was deemed too terrifying. This marked the second collaboration between Wan and actor Patrick Wilson, following 2010’s Insidious, and the film became an instant hit, earning $137,400,141.

8. The Ring (2002)

Gore Verbinski’s The Ring ignited a cultural trend centered around chain mail, as Naomi Watts’s character unraveled the mystery of a cursed videotape that allegedly caused death unless passed on within a week. The film inspired a 2005 sequel and a 2017 reboot, with the original earning $129,128,133.

9. The Nun (2018)

Among the most awaited horror films of 2018 was The Nun, the sixth installment in The Conjuring Universe. Despite receiving poor reviews from both critics and audiences, it managed to gross an impressive $117,450,119 in the U.S.

10. The Grudge (2004)

Helmed by Takashi Shimizu, who also wrote and directed the Japanese version, Ju-on: The Grudge (2002), The Grudge garnered mixed critical reception. However, its eerie atmosphere resonated with horror enthusiasts, leading the film to gross $110,359,362.

11. Paranormal Activity (2009)

Likely influenced by The Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Activity sparked a series of “found footage” films. The original movie’s trailer featured “real footage” of theater audiences reacting in fear, and the first installment earned $107,918,810.

12. Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)

The third installment in the Paranormal Activity franchise delved into the origins of the story by focusing on the protagonist’s childhood. It nearly matched the earnings of the original, grossing $104,028,807.

13. The Conjuring 2 (2016)

While not as widely acclaimed as its predecessor, the sequel to The Conjuring still drew audiences eager to follow the further adventures of real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film earned $102,470,008.

14. Annabelle: Creation (2017)

As part of The Conjuring Universe, Annabelle: Creation explores the backstory of the infamous haunted doll. Despite receiving lukewarm reviews, the film still pulled in $102,092,201 at the box office.

15. The Others (2001)

A chilling psychological thriller featuring Nicole Kidman, The Others demonstrates how audiences crave genuinely frightening films that rely less on special effects and jump scares. The movie grossed $96,522,687.

16. The Haunting (1999)

Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel The Haunting of Hill House has seen multiple adaptations for both film and television, with the 1999 version of The Haunting being the most financially successful. Despite its poor critical reception (scoring just 16 percent on Rotten Tomatoes), it earned $91,411,151.

17. The Amityville Horror (1979)

Inspired by real events, the original Amityville Horror remains the highest-earning entry in a flood of sequels, spin-offs, and remakes. It grossed $86,432,000.

18. Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)

The “found footage” style proved successful once again, as the sequel earned $84,752,907, even though it was later surpassed by the third film.

19. Annabelle (2014)

Fans of The Conjuring were eager to learn more about Annabelle, the eerie doll featured briefly in the 2012 film, driving the movie to earn $84,273,813 at the box office.

20. Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013)

The sequel to Insidious outperformed the original, as audiences were captivated by the continuation of James Wan’s chilling narrative. The film grossed $83,586,447.

21. Poltergeist (1982)

A defining horror film of the 1980s, Poltergeist led to numerous sequels, spin-offs, and even a remake. Its influence extended to countless subsequent horror films, though few matched its $76,606,280 box office success.

22. The Ring Two (2005)

Fans of The Ring remained captivated by the cursed VHS tape and were eager to see Naomi Watts’s fate after the first film. While the sequel didn’t match the original’s success, it still earned a solid $76,231,249.

23. The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

Introducing a fresh perspective on possessions and exorcisms, The Exorcism of Emily Rose highlighted the legal complexities surrounding a supernatural death. The film garnered moderate critical praise and earned a substantial $75,072,454.

24. Annabelle Comes Home (2019)

Though it didn’t outshine many of its predecessors in The Conjuring Universe, the eerie doll narrative in Annabelle Comes Home still captivated audiences, helping the film scare up $74,149,597 at the box office.

25. 1408 (2007)

Adapted from a short story by Stephen King, 1408 was a polarizing film, though its box office performance told a different story. Starring John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson, the movie grossed $71,985,628.

26. Mama (2013)

Andy Muschietti’s third entry on this list, Mama, didn’t win over critics but relied on its eerie plot and star power from Jessica Chastain and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau to attract audiences. The film earned $71,628,180.

27. Insidious: The Last Key (2018)

The fourth installment in the Insidious series continued its success, earning $67,745,330 at the box office—surpassing both the original 2011 film and its third sequel.

28. Lights Out (2016)

Supernatural threats haunting families across generations have become a hallmark of modern horror, and David Sandberg’s Lights Out—which grossed $67,268,835 and boasts an 86 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes—exemplifies the haunted house subgenre.

29. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)

Guillermo del Toro, an Oscar-winning master of horror, produced and contributed to the story for this adaptation of Alvin Schwartz’s popular children’s horror series. The film grossed $66,962,903 domestically.

30. The Final Destination (2009)

The fourth entry in the Final Destination series proved that death could still draw crowds, earning $66,477,700 and becoming the franchise’s highest-grossing film.

31. The Amityville Horror (2005)

Before Ryan Reynolds became a household name, he appeared in this poorly reviewed remake of the 1979 classic. Despite a 23 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film still grossed $65,233,369.

32. The Omen (1976)

Richard Donner’s chilling tale of a satanic child featured a star-studded cast, including Gregory Peck and Lee Remick, and earned an impressive $60,922,98. It also made the name "Damien" far less appealing for parents.

33. White Noise (2005)

Michael Keaton ventured into the horror genre with Geoffrey Sax’s White Noise, portraying a grieving widower who becomes entangled in paranormal investigations after believing his deceased wife is reaching out to him. The film grossed a respectable $56,386,759.

34. The Haunting In Connecticut (2009)

This 2009 film, allegedly inspired by true events, follows a family relocating to a former mortuary to be near the hospital where their son receives cancer treatment. However, the house’s dark history unleashes chaos, as often happens in such tales. The movie earned $55,389,516.

35. THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA (2019)

Directed by Michael Chaves, this sixth entry in The Conjuring series, also known as The Curse of the Weeping Woman in some regions, premiered at SXSW in 2019. Despite mixed reviews, it grossed $54,733,739 domestically.

36. The Omen (2006)

In 2006, John Moore attempted to remake Richard Donner’s iconic devil-child film. While the effort was commendable, the remake couldn’t match the original’s success, earning $54,607,383 at the box office.

37. The Woman in Black (2012)

Daniel Radcliffe showcased his versatility beyond Harry Potter in this acclaimed supernatural thriller adapted from Susan Hill’s 1983 novel. Playing a widowed lawyer in Edwardian London, Radcliffe’s character travels to a secluded village to handle the estate of a reclusive woman. The film grossed $54,333,290 in the U.S.

38. Evil Dead (2013)

While the 2013 remake lacked the quirky charm of Sam Raimi’s 1981 cult classic, it still managed to pull in $54,239,856 at the box office.

39. Final Destination 3 (2006)

The third installment in the Final Destination series, set five years after the original, follows death’s pursuit of Mary Elizabeth Winstead and her friends. It slightly outperformed the first film, earning $54,098,051 compared to $53,331,147.

40. Insidious (2011)

The first installment in the Insidious franchise, directed by James Wan and featuring Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne, launched the series with a strong start, earning $13,271,464. Its success and critical praise led to three more films.

41. Paranormal Activity 4 (2012)

The fourth entry in the Paranormal Activity series grossed $53,900,335, making it the fourth highest-earning film in the franchise, with two more sequels following.

42. Final Destination (2000)

Despite its title suggesting an ending, this 2000 hit launched a horror franchise. The film, featuring Devon Sawa narrowly evading death only to be pursued by it, earned $53,331,147 and spawned a five-movie series.

43. THE DEVIL INSIDE (2012)

Just as the found footage genre seemed to fade, William Brent Bell’s The Devil Inside—following a daughter investigating her mother’s institutionalization through an exorcism—debuted at number one and grossed $53,261,944.

44. Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)

Leigh Whannell both wrote and directed the third installment in the Insidious series, serving as a prequel to the first two films. The movie performed well, grossing $52,218,558.

45. Ouija (2014)

This 2014 supernatural thriller follows a young woman uncovering the dark forces of a Ouija board. Despite negative reviews, it earned over $103 million globally on a $5 million budget, with $50,856,010 coming from the U.S. Its success led to the 2016 prequel, Ouija: Origin of Evil.

46. STIGMATA (1999)

Patricia Arquette, an Oscar winner, stars as a Pittsburgh hairdresser who, despite her lack of religious faith, begins experiencing supernatural phenomena like speaking in tongues, stigmata, and attacks by unseen forces. Despite harsh reviews, the 1999 film outperformed many later horror movies, earning $50,046,268.

47. THE POSSESSION (2012)

Inspired by a true story, The Possession follows a young girl obsessed with a wooden box from a yard sale, which houses an evil spirit. Though critics gave it a 39 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film grossed $49,130,154.

48. Sinister (2012)

Scott Derrickson, later known for directing Doctor Strange and its sequel, co-wrote and directed this film about true crime writer Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke), who struggles with a decade-long writer’s block. To overcome it, he relocates his family to a house tied to an unsolved murder case, hiding its dark history from them—a decision that proves disastrous. The movie grossed $48,086,903.

49. The Skeleton Key (2005)

During her reign as the rom-com queen of the 2000s, Kate Hudson ventured into horror with The Skeleton Key. She plays a hospice nurse who moves to New Orleans to care for an elderly couple (Gena Rowlands and John Hurt), only to uncover the sinister secrets of their home.

50. Poltergeist (2015)

The 2015 remake of the Steven Spielberg-produced horror classic failed to leave a lasting impression on audiences, but its U.S. box office earnings of $47,425,125 secured it the final position on this list.