Top Earning Films Debuted on Halloween Weekends

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Halloween weekend seems tailor-made for watching films that provide spine-tingling moments and might have you holding tightly to your friend's arm. Indeed, we've seen a slew of horror flicks reigning supreme at the box office, especially during the closing days of October when 'fear fests' are all the rage.

However, Halloween is also prime time for studios to release movies that don't exactly fit the 'summer blockbuster' paradigm or the cozy, family-centric narratives that begin emerging in the holiday season come November and December.

It's interesting to note that the most economically successful films during this time haven't always been the ones offering the most terror or excitement. We've put together a list of the highest earners in U.S. box offices on Halloween weekends over four decades, making necessary adjustments for inflation. данные из The Numbers All films shown when Halloween fell between Friday and Sunday across the years were eligible for this list.

Whether you're an aficionado of horror marathons, a novice in spooky narratives, or a film enthusiast with a palate for all genres, the movies that dominated the box office during Halloween weekends from the early '80s to 2022 might just defy your expectations. Dive in to check out the top 20, with a fair warning that some spoilers are included.

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#20. Адвокат дьявола

The cast of Devil's Advocate arrives at its opening night. Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

  • Хэллоуинский кассовый сбор в США : $17,979,416
  • Общий кассовый сбор в США: $121,800,332
  • Жанр: Ужасы
  • Продолжительность: 144 минуты
  • Дата выхода: 17 октября 1997
  • Cast: Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, Charlize Theron

Although more akin to a supernatural suspense than outright horror, 'Devil’s Advocate' is packed with elements bound to send chills down your spine during Halloween: who better than Satan himself as the antagonist?

With its chilling apparitions, bubbling holy water, and surreal visions, this R-rated thriller extended its appeal well beyond its initial October release. Fans eagerly flocked to witness Al Pacino wearing the mantle of the Prince of Darkness, supported by a stellar lineup with Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron.

#19. Красный угол

A scene from Red Corner Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images

  • Halloween weekend domestic gross: $18,064,850
  • Total domestic gross: $44,830,232
  • Genre: Thriller/Suspense
  • Run time: 122 minutes
  • Release date: Oct. 31, 1997
  • Cast: Richard Gere, Bai Ling, Bradley Whitford

The 1997 season of scares contributed three notable titles to our list of top-grossing Halloween films, including the mystery-thriller 'Red Corner,' premiered on the eve of Halloween. This film marked a departure for director Jon Avnet from his earlier comedic-dramas like 'Fried Green Tomatoes.'

While devoid of specters and goblins, 'Red Corner' spins a riveting narrative around a murder scene and a harrowing scream that incriminates the protagonist. As the story unfolds, he teams up with a lawyer, Bai Ling, to untangle the sinister web of his set-up and expose the real culprit.

#18. Fatal Attraction

A scene from Fatal Attraction Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images

  • Halloween weekend domestic gross: $18,354,470
  • Total domestic gross: $365,196,992
  • Genre: Thriller/Suspense
  • Run time: 120 minutes
  • Release date: Sept. 18, 1987
  • Cast: Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Anne Archer

'Fatal Attraction' had been running for over a month when Halloween arrived in 1987, and its continued box-office success saw it reigning for eight consecutive weeks. This intense psychological story tantalized viewers with its tale of a relentless woman, played by Glenn Close, pursuing a married man portrayed by Michael Douglas, with whom she'd had a brief encounter.

Described by a Hollywood Reporter critic as an 'intense thriller,' the spurned lover's tale took unnerving turns, becoming infamous for the gut-wrenching scene where a pet rabbit meets a boiling end. As reported by The Washington Post, audience screams resonated during the film's climactic moments. horror-of-personality Dune cast members attend its grand premiere Alessandra Benedetti – Corbis/Corbis // Getty Images , who jumped from their seats in terror.

#17. Dune

<strong>Cast:</strong> Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson Sci-fi enthusiasts were treated to Denis Villeneuve's 2021 adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel 'Dune.' This marked the third film attempt to translate the epic narrative, following adaptations from 1984 and a 2000 TV series.

  • Halloween weekend domestic gross: $18,423,810
  • Total domestic gross: $109,676,342
  • Genre: Action
  • Run time: 156 minutes
  • Release date: Oct. 22, 2021
  • Starring the Oscar-nominated heartthrob Timothée Chalamet alongside Emmy winner Zendaya, the film's box office triumph was noteworthy, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic pushed its premiere from 2020, coinciding with HBO Max and theater releases.

For Warner Brothers, 'Dune' was a landmark release, their largest since 2019, bolstered by an assertive push for audiences to experience it on the massive IMAX screens or the largest available.

The star of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre arrives at its showing.

Cast: Andrew Bryniarski, Jessica Biel, Jonathan Tucker

#16. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

The 2003 iteration of 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' revisited the grotesque legacy of Tobe Hooper’s 1974 original, establishing new benchmarks for the slasher genre. Over nearly 30 years post-debut, its antagonist Leatherface attained an emblematic status as noted by Entertainment Weekly critics. Kevin Winter // Getty Images

  • Halloween weekend domestic gross: $20,093,875
  • Total domestic gross: $122,523,204
  • Genre: Horror
  • Run time: 98 minutes
  • Release date: Oct. 17, 2003
  • Judging by its success at the box office, the audience's cravings for blood-curdling, adrenaline-spiking tales or the 'Texas Chainsaw' franchise hadn’t waned, as evidenced by this being its fifth installment.

Cast: Sheryl Lee, James Woods, Daniel Baldwin By the time 'Vampires' wrapped up shooting in 1998, director John Carpenter was no stranger to horror, with credits for 'Christine,' 'The Thing,' and notably, 'Halloween.' .”

The film, an adaptation of John Steakley's novel, chronicles the journey of vampire slayers uncovering a den of vampires and pursuing their sinister master, while also hunting down newly transformed allies. Touted as a horror-western, it confronted audiences with a rawer, more macabre take on vampires than the classic seductive allure. the template for modern horror A captivating snapshot from The Nightmare Before Christmas

#15. Vampires

A scene from Vampires Columbia Pictures // Getty Images

  • Halloween weekend domestic gross: $21,746,861
  • Total domestic gross: $39,581,095
  • Genre: Horror
  • Run time: 108 minutes
  • Release date: Oct. 30, 1998
  • Touchstone Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images

Cast: Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, Paul Reubens

During 1993’s Halloween season, Tim Burton's stop-motion creation, 'The Nightmare Before Christmas,' captivated audiences with its spooky charm over festive spirit.

#14. The Nightmare Before Christmas

The film's protagonist, the melodious skeleton Jack Skellington, is determined to leave behind his eerie life by transforming Halloween Town into a haven of holiday joy. His ambition leads him to abduct Santa Claus from Christmas Town and morphed into 'Sandy Claws,' yet his plans are marred by his oversight of warnings from a psychic rag doll, Sally, voiced by Catherine O’Hara. A memorable moment from I Know What You Did Last Summer

  • Halloween weekend domestic gross: $22,217,328
  • Total domestic gross: $144,665,342
  • Genre: Musical
  • Run time: 76 minutes
  • Release date: Oct. 13, 1993
  • Cast: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Michelle Gellar

When 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' debuted in 1997, writer Kevin Williamson was already a formidable figure in the horror scene, having redefined it with 'Scream' in 1996. Like 'Scream,' this movie entrenched itself in the teenage slasher niche with breakout roles for its youthful stars, including Ryan Phillippe, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Sarah Michelle Gellar, coinciding with her rise on 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer.'

The narrative of concealing an accidental death and the subsequent pursuit by a killer not only spawned two sequels ('I Still Know What You Did Last Summer' in 1998 and 'I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer' in 2006) but also inspired a spoof, 'Scary Movie,' released in 2000.

#13. I Know What You Did Last Summer

Paranormal Activity 2's cast joins a Q&A session. Columbia Pictures/Getty Images

  • Halloween weekend domestic gross: $22,952,182
  • Total domestic gross: $144,265,108
  • Genre: Horror
  • Release date: Oct. 17, 1997
  • Frazer Harrison/Getty Images For Paramount

Cast: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Brian Boland

'Paranormal Activity 2' followed the overwhelming success of its low-budget predecessor from 2007. Despite not eclipsing the original’s box office numbers, the film harnessed the same found-footage style made famous by 'The Blair Witch Project' in 1999.

A scene from Red Corner

While audiences shrieked at traditional horror techniques, like sudden surprises, the 'Paranormal Activity' series innovatively incorporated security footage and night vision, weaving its narrative intricately with the first, detailing interlinked hauntings as the tension mounted. and offers accessible to all for stepping into the gaming realm.

  • Halloween weekend domestic gross: $18,064,850
  • Total domestic gross: $44,830,232
  • Genre: Thriller/Suspense
  • Run time: 122 minutes
  • Release date: Oct. 31, 1997
  • The ensemble of High School Musical 3: Senior Year arrives for its grand event.

Antony Jones/UK Press via Getty Images

Cast: Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale

#18. Fatal Attraction A scene from Fatal Attraction In the Halloween season of 2008, Disney's 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year' stood out as a musical contrast amid the chilling atmospheres of horror seqeuels 'Saw V' and thriller 'Max Payne.' Its premiere timing weaves back to an original notion for a third film in the franchise titled 'Haunted High School Musical,' which ultimately wasn't made.

Halloween weekend domestic gross: $18,354,470

A Thorough Exploration of the Halloween Weekend Cinematic Giants Get ready to delve into the top 20 films that dominated Halloween weekend, uncovering which blockbusters set the box office on fire and became a staple favorite for audiences across the globe every October.

  • Total domestic gross: $365,196,992
  • Genre: Thriller/Suspense
  • Run time: 120 minutes
  • Release date: Sept. 18, 1987
  • horror-of-personality
  • Top Money-Making Films Premiered During Halloween Weekend

Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

The Halloween weekend provides an ideal opportunity to watch a film that gets your heart racing and has you grabbing onto your companion for dear life. With the demand for a good scare peaking around the last days of October, the silver screen has seen a plethora of horror flicks stealing the limelight.

, who jumped from their seats in terror.

Yet, this spooky period also serves as a clever launchpad for film studios keen to debut films that don’t really fit into the box of typical summer blockbusters or the warm and fuzzy fare that starts pouring out when the holiday season kicks off in November. The highest achievers in terms of box office success during this time aren’t always the masters of fear and fright. We've curated a list highlighting the best-earning films released in the U.S. over Halloween weekend for the past four decades, taking into account

  • #17. Dune
  • Halloween weekend domestic gross: $18,423,810
  • Total domestic gross: $109,676,342
  • Genre: Action
  • Run time: 156 minutes
  • . All revenue data are inflation-adjusted, considering all movies in theaters when Halloween fell between Friday and Sunday each year.

Whether you're a seasoned horror aficionado, a novice to creature features, or someone who cherishes all film genres, you'll find surprises among the titles that reigned supreme at Halloween box offices from the early '80s to 2022. Dive in to reveal the top 20, though tread lightly—spoilers abound.

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Release date: Oct. 22, 2021

<b>#16. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre</b> The ensemble of Devil's Advocate makes an appearance at its premiere

  • Kevin Winter // Getty Images
  • Halloween weekend domestic gross: $20,093,875
  • Total domestic gross: $122,523,204
  • Genre: Horror
  • Run time: 98 minutes
  • Cast: Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, Charlize Theron

\"Devil’s Advocate,\" more a supernatural suspense movie than pure unadulterated horror, brings to the table one key element that makes it a perfect haunt for Halloween gathers: the malevolent prince of darkness, Satan himself.

With its alarming visions, cursed holy water, and deceptive mirages, this R-rated attraction maintained its momentum past its October debut, with audiences eager to witness Al Pacino embody the diabolical Overlord, supported by a stunning cast including Keanu Reeves (bridging his work from \"Speed\" and \"The Matrix\") and Charlize Theron, in one of her breakout roles.

Release date: Oct. 17, 2003

.” the template for modern horror

  • #15. Vampires
  • A scene from Vampires
  • Columbia Pictures // Getty Images
  • Halloween weekend domestic gross: $21,746,861
  • Total domestic gross: $39,581,095
  • Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images

Cast: Richard Gere, Bai Ling, Bradley Whitford

The spooky season of 1997 added a trio of films to the prestigious roster of highest-grossing Halloween weekend movies — one of which was “Red Corner,” a mystery thriller debuting on Halloween itself. This film, helmed by Richard Gere, was a dramatic shift for director Jon Avnet, who previously made his mark with the 1991 heartwarming drama 'Fried Green Tomatoes.'

Genre: Horror

<strong>Run time:</strong> 108 minutes Release date: Oct. 30, 1998

  • #14. The Nightmare Before Christmas
  • Halloween weekend domestic gross: $22,217,328
  • Total domestic gross: $144,665,342
  • Genre: Musical
  • Run time: 76 minutes
  • Absent of anything that goes bump in the night, “Red Corner” focuses on unraveling a murder, where a scream spells doom for the main character. The storyline intensifies as he and his attorney (played by Bai Ling) strive to uncover the truth and find the real perpetrator.

Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images

Cast: Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Anne Archer

Release date: Oct. 13, 1993

Though “Fatal Attraction” had already graced screens for over a month by the time Halloween 1987 struck, its unwavering box office presence ensured the erotic thriller topped charts for an outstanding eight weeks. It terrified fans with the tale of a relentless woman (Glenn Close) obsessively pursuing the married man (Michael Douglas) she spent a wild weekend with. #13. I Know What You Did Last Summer

  • Columbia Pictures/Getty Images
  • Halloween weekend domestic gross: $22,952,182
  • Total domestic gross: $144,265,108
  • Genre: Horror
  • Release date: Oct. 17, 1997
  • A movie notably described by one Hollywood Reporter critic as a \"

\", the vengeful lover ventures into unexpected territories leading to the infamous pot-boiled rabbit scene among the film's shocking highlights. The Washington Post noted that its culminating scenes

triggered screams from packed theaters

A scene from Red Corner

Dune cast members grace their premiere Alessandra Benedetti – Corbis/Corbis // Getty Images

  • Halloween weekend domestic gross: $18,064,850
  • Total domestic gross: $44,830,232
  • Genre: Thriller/Suspense
  • Run time: 122 minutes
  • Release date: Oct. 31, 1997
  • Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson

In 2021, Denis Villeneuve took viewers on an interstellar voyage by adapting Frank Herbert's 1965 science fiction epic “Dune.” This marked the third screen rendition of the novel, after David Lynch's 1984 version and a 2000 mini-series.

Leading roles played by Oscar-nominee heartthrob Timothée Chalamet and multiple Emmy-award winner Zendaya, among others, this version's box office triumph was noteworthy given that the COVID-19 pandemic postponed its original late-2020 opening, with its simultaneous premiere in theaters and on HBO Max.

#18. Fatal Attraction

A scene from Fatal Attraction The launch turned out to be a jackpot for Warner Brothers, the film’s backer, topping their release charts since 2019 with “Dune” — bolstered by an enthusiastic push for audiences to catch it on IMAX or the largest screen available.

  • Total domestic gross: $365,196,992
  • Genre: Thriller/Suspense
  • Run time: 120 minutes
  • Release date: Sept. 18, 1987
  • The infamous Leatherface himself premiers alongside The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake cast

Cast: Andrew Bryniarski, Jessica Biel, Jonathan Tucker

The 2003 reimagining of \"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,\" a nod to Tobe Hooper’s genre-defining original from 1974, as Time mentions, “

horror-of-personality

, who jumped from their seats in terror. #17. Dune

  • Halloween weekend domestic gross: $18,423,810
  • Total domestic gross: $109,676,342
  • Genre: Action
  • Run time: 156 minutes
  • Release date: Oct. 22, 2021
  • set a new bar for all slasher movies that followed

Almost thirty years down the line, the terrifying visage of Leatherface had solidified itself as a fixture in pop culture lore, as one Entertainment Weekly reviewer put it.

. With its impressive box office haul, it was clear audiences hadn’t tired of the bloodthirsty escape films or the famous “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” series, given this was its fifth outing.

#16. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

<strong>Cast:</strong> Sheryl Lee, James Woods, Daniel Baldwin Kevin Winter // Getty Images

  • Halloween weekend domestic gross: $20,093,875
  • Total domestic gross: $122,523,204
  • Genre: Horror
  • Run time: 98 minutes
  • Release date: Oct. 17, 2003
  • Having established his expertise in the horror genre by the time “Vampires” debuted in 1998, director John Carpenter was renowned for projects like his Stephen King adaptation \"Christine,\" the beloved “The Thing,” and his iconic work \"Halloween.\"

Based on a novel by John Steakley, “Vampires” follows a squad of vampire slayers who stumble upon a den of undead and embark on a mission to eradicate their leader—an adventure filled with gory remnants and newly minted vampires. Dubbing itself a horror Western, the film dared to deliver an unsettling portrait of vampires devoid of their traditionally enchanting allure.

A scene from Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

Touchstone Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images .” the template for modern horror

#15. Vampires

<strong>Cast:</strong> Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, Paul Reubens A scene from Vampires

  • Columbia Pictures // Getty Images
  • Halloween weekend domestic gross: $21,746,861
  • Total domestic gross: $39,581,095
  • Genre: Horror
  • Run time: 108 minutes
  • Tim Burton's stop-motion opus, ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,’ captured viewers' imaginations during Halloween of 1993 by emphasizing its eerie atmosphere over its Yuletide cheer.

The tale centers on Jack Skellington, the skeletal crooner hoping to replace his eerie life by transforming Halloween Town—complete with bats, pumpkins, a mummy child, and a phantom pup called Zero—into a realm of holiday spirit. His plan takes a bizarre turn when he abducts Santa from Christmas Town and crowns himself “Sandy Claws,” ignoring the prophetic warnings of rag doll Sally, voiced by Catherine O'Hara.

A key scene from I Know What You Did Last Summer