6 production studios making a killing in the horror genre
2. A24
Since its establishment, A24 has cultivated a niche within the horror genre that blends artistic ambition with commercial viability. The studio's approach focuses on psychological and atmospheric horror, appealing to discerning viewers seeking depth and innovation. Films such as Hereditary (2018), Midsommar (2019) and Heretic (2024) have earned both critical praise and solid box office numbers, with Hereditary grossing over US$80 million globally on a US$10 million budget. And then there's the Pearl universe, which has earned a cult following of hardcore horror fans. A24's ability to back auteur-driven projects has helped elevate the horror genre's artistic profile without sacrificing financial returns. 3. Atomic Monster
Founded by director James Wan, Atomic Monster has played a crucial role in mainstream horror's evolution. Wan's own The Conjuring universe is one of the most successful horror franchises of the last decade, with multiple entries surpassing US$300 million globally. Atomic Monster combines blockbuster sensibilities with genre storytelling, extending horror's appeal to mass audiences. Wan's productions often feature high production values, tight narratives and supernatural elements that have become staples of modern horror. 4. Ghost House Pictures
Co-founded by Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, Ghost House Pictures has built a reputation for making horror that's accessible, entertaining and internationally appealing. The company strikes a balance between classic scares and modern pacing, producing hits like Drag Me to Hell (2009), Don't Breathe (2016) and Evil Dead Rise (2023). These films tend to blend practical effects with clever tension-building, offering audiences a familiar but well-executed experience. Ghost House may not chase awards-season buzz, but its track record at the box office speaks to a solid understanding of what horror fans want—and are willing to pay to see. 5. Monkeypaw Productions
Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions has redefined the horror genre's cultural and financial potential. Starting with Get Out , which grossed over US$255 million worldwide on a US$4.5 million budget, Monkeypaw has merged horror with social commentary in a way that resonates deeply with audiences. Subsequent releases like Us (2019) and Nope (2022) have continued this trend, combining scares with themes of identity and society. Monkeypaw's approach broadens the genre's appeal beyond traditional horror fans, contributing to its commercial success. 6. Proximity Media
Founded by Ryan Coogler alongside Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian, Proximity Media has made a significant impact on the horror genre with its 2025 release, Sinners . Directed by Coogler and starring Michael B Jordan, the film blends supernatural horror with social commentary, set against the backdrop of 1930s Mississippi. Sinners has achieved remarkable box office success, grossing over US$351 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year so far. The film's unique narrative and strong performances have solidified Proximity Media's position as a formidable player in the horror genre.
The financial success of these production houses demonstrates that the horror genre is far from a niche market. By embracing innovation, efficient budgeting and strong storytelling, these companies have established themselves as leaders in one of cinema's most consistently profitable areas. Their varied approaches prove there is no single formula for success in the horror genre, but all share an ability to turn fear into formidable returns.
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Tatler Asia
3 days ago
- Tatler Asia
6 production studios making a killing in the horror genre
2. A24 Since its establishment, A24 has cultivated a niche within the horror genre that blends artistic ambition with commercial viability. The studio's approach focuses on psychological and atmospheric horror, appealing to discerning viewers seeking depth and innovation. Films such as Hereditary (2018), Midsommar (2019) and Heretic (2024) have earned both critical praise and solid box office numbers, with Hereditary grossing over US$80 million globally on a US$10 million budget. And then there's the Pearl universe, which has earned a cult following of hardcore horror fans. A24's ability to back auteur-driven projects has helped elevate the horror genre's artistic profile without sacrificing financial returns. 3. Atomic Monster Founded by director James Wan, Atomic Monster has played a crucial role in mainstream horror's evolution. Wan's own The Conjuring universe is one of the most successful horror franchises of the last decade, with multiple entries surpassing US$300 million globally. Atomic Monster combines blockbuster sensibilities with genre storytelling, extending horror's appeal to mass audiences. Wan's productions often feature high production values, tight narratives and supernatural elements that have become staples of modern horror. 4. Ghost House Pictures Co-founded by Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, Ghost House Pictures has built a reputation for making horror that's accessible, entertaining and internationally appealing. The company strikes a balance between classic scares and modern pacing, producing hits like Drag Me to Hell (2009), Don't Breathe (2016) and Evil Dead Rise (2023). These films tend to blend practical effects with clever tension-building, offering audiences a familiar but well-executed experience. Ghost House may not chase awards-season buzz, but its track record at the box office speaks to a solid understanding of what horror fans want—and are willing to pay to see. 5. Monkeypaw Productions Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions has redefined the horror genre's cultural and financial potential. Starting with Get Out , which grossed over US$255 million worldwide on a US$4.5 million budget, Monkeypaw has merged horror with social commentary in a way that resonates deeply with audiences. Subsequent releases like Us (2019) and Nope (2022) have continued this trend, combining scares with themes of identity and society. Monkeypaw's approach broadens the genre's appeal beyond traditional horror fans, contributing to its commercial success. 6. Proximity Media Founded by Ryan Coogler alongside Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian, Proximity Media has made a significant impact on the horror genre with its 2025 release, Sinners . Directed by Coogler and starring Michael B Jordan, the film blends supernatural horror with social commentary, set against the backdrop of 1930s Mississippi. Sinners has achieved remarkable box office success, grossing over US$351 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of the year so far. The film's unique narrative and strong performances have solidified Proximity Media's position as a formidable player in the horror genre. The financial success of these production houses demonstrates that the horror genre is far from a niche market. By embracing innovation, efficient budgeting and strong storytelling, these companies have established themselves as leaders in one of cinema's most consistently profitable areas. Their varied approaches prove there is no single formula for success in the horror genre, but all share an ability to turn fear into formidable returns. NOW READ 11 female directors who shaped the horror movie genre 11 cancelled TV shows we still can't stop thinking about 6 noona romance K-dramas where love blossoms against the odds
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2. 'Us' (2019) In Us , Jordan Peele reframes the home invasion not as a random attack, but as a confrontation with buried truths. The intruders are literal copies of the protagonists—people who have been living underground while others enjoyed the surface. By staging the attack in a coastal holiday home, Peele critiques the illusion of retreat and privilege. The Wilsons, like many middle-class families, believe they've earned safety through consumption and distance. Us suggests this comfort comes at a cost—and that what has been repressed, socially or psychologically, will eventually demand its reckoning. 3. 'The Strangers' (2008) Bryan Bertino's The Strangers remains one of the bleakest entries in the home invasion canon because it offers no clear motive, no redemption arc and no heroic escape. A young couple is terrorised in their rural family home simply because, as one of the masked assailants says, 'you were home'. This randomness is what makes the film so disturbing—it strips away any sense of moral cause and effect. It's a rare film that underscores the idea that no matter how careful or secluded you are, violence sometimes arrives without reason, warning or narrative closure. 4. 'Don't Breathe' (2016) Don't Breathe flips the typical home invasion structure by making the intruders the ones who are hunted. A trio of petty thieves break into the house of a blind veteran, believing him defenceless, only to discover he is anything but. The film is a lesson in misjudgment—about underestimating physical disability, overestimating your own control and misreading silence as weakness. It also challenges audience sympathy. As secrets unfold, the line between perpetrator and victim becomes increasingly murky, reminding us that proximity to violence often reveals more about character than circumstance. 5. 'When a Stranger Calls' (1979) This film famously opens with a long sequence involving a babysitter receiving anonymous phone calls that escalate into stalking and, eventually, a violent reveal: the caller is already inside the house. While it evolves into a different kind of psychological thriller, the first act remains a defining moment in the genre. It highlights how easily early warning signs—unsettling behaviour, unexplained sounds, intuition—are dismissed. The lesson here isn't about building better locks; it's about taking unease seriously before it hardens into a threat. The call might be coming from inside the house, but the denial started long before that. 6. 'The Last House on the Left' (1972) Wes Craven's controversial debut confronts the viewer with a deeply uncomfortable truth: revenge is not catharsis. After a pair of teenagers are brutalised by strangers, the attackers unknowingly take refuge in the home of one of the victims' parents. What follows is retaliation, not justice. The violence escalates, but the emotional damage is never resolved—it multiplies. Craven's message is that home invasion doesn't just displace safety; it disrupts ethics. The instinct to protect one's home can curdle into something equally destructive, especially when filtered through grief and rage. 7. 'Fear' (1996) Fear isn't a typical home invasion film—it begins as a romance. Mark Wahlberg's character is introduced as the boyfriend, not the villain, and is initially welcomed into the family. But as possessiveness morphs into obsession, he begins asserting control not just over his girlfriend but over the household itself. The film's climax, involving a siege on the suburban family home, is the logical end to a series of ignored red flags. It's a reminder that danger doesn't always knock; it can sometimes charm its way in. In a culture that equates attention with affection, Fear quietly asks: how do you protect a home from someone you invited in? Across all seven films, home invasion is more than a plot device, but also a reflection of anxieties about wealth, privacy, power and the limits between public threat and private life. Whether through force or psychological manipulation, the home's safety is constantly questioned. The genre lasts because it challenges assumptions that locks protect, love is safe and threats are obvious. In reality, home invasion takes many forms, and the most dangerous often begin with a false sense of security. READ MORE Your safety checklist: Here's what to remember for in-flight emergencies 5 iconic hotels in film: Where architecture becomes the star 8 spine-chilling must-watch Korean movies
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