Low Budget Horror Films That Reached Number One At The Box Office

Get Out (2017)

Jordan Peele’s revered directorial debut is a nuanced, multi-layered story that defied the horror genre to which it aspired, resulting in a fantastically crafted, not to mention Academy Award-Winning, film.

Though the highest budget on this list, the fact that this film was produced for the low cost of $4,500,000 is not to be understated. It is an incredible piece of low-budget cinema which maintained a distinct relevance in popular culture throughout its year of release.

The shattering impact clearly showed in ticket sails, with Get Out grossing $33,377,060 during its opening and maintaining the number one spot at the domestic box office for seven consecutive days. It climbed to the top of the box office on February 25th 2017 and remained there until March 2nd 2017.

The Purge (2013)

A premise that’s to die for. The Purge gained notoriety in the weeks preceding its release, with an oh so tasty concept which saw all crimes made legal for 24 hours once a year. Whilst this arguably wasn’t capitalised artistically until the sequels, this first glimpse of a periodically lawless world proved beyond tempting for movie-goers.

Crafted on a modest $3,000,000 budget, the build up paid off once it hit cinemas as The Purge surged to the top of the domestic box office. It held this coveted number one spot for 5 days, starting its reign on June 7th and ending on June 11th 2013.

During this time at the top, The Purge managed to gross $34,058,360 during its opening run. A success that continued in the subsequent follow-ups which saw to expand on the ideas and world presented here.

Saw (2004)

The birth of a genre. The lovely origins of that niche delicacy known quaintly as torture porn. Acclaimed horror producer James Wan directed this indie darling set predominantly in a single room for much of its run time, introducing the world to the playfully sadistic antics of the infamous jigsaw killer.

Originally pitched as a short film, this feature product was produced for a mere $1,200,000. A minor price tag for a production that saw a booming opening weekend which netted a gross of $18,276,468.

Saw enjoyed October 31st and November 1st 2004 atop the domestic box office charts. This would soon become familiar ground as the Saw franchise maintained annual releases for seven films, ultimately becoming the highest grossing horror film franchise to date.

Friday the 13th (1980)

To complete the legendary trio of 80s slasher flicks comes this classic from the shores of Camp Crystal Lake. An imitator of earlier smash hit Halloween, Friday the 13th nonetheless provided enough of a unique twist to stand on its own vengeful feet. Whilst the iconic villain Jason Voorhees wouldn’t dominate screens until the sequels, the formula of ‘deranged killer hunts horny teens’ clearly sat well with hungry audiences.

Made for the low low cost of $550,000, Friday the 13th gorged itself on runaway success as it claimed the top spot at the domestic box office for seven consecutive days between May 9th and May 15th 1980. Against this small cost, it also pulled in $5,816,321 during its opening weekend.

Interestingly, each of the 1980s sequels, with the exception of the sixth film, also grappled with the top box office spot for a time. These themselves also sported relatively low production costs, ranging from $1,125,000 to $4,000,000.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

There’s somewhat of a trend among slasher films, though only with the exceptions that prove the rule, a low budget plus ingenious villain equals box office gold. With this first incarnation of the beloved horror franchise, Freddie Kreuger does what he does best and graces screens whilst haunting nightmares.

Horror maestro Wes Craven directed this fiendishly entertaining classic on a budget of $1,800,000. Despite the meger returns of $1,271,000 during its opening weekend, it nevertheless claimed the number one podium at the domestic box office from February 1st to February 3rd 1984.

Following on from this high opening and holding the top spot for three days, A Nightmare on Elm Street lost its box office ranking but revelled in audience acclaim which still persists today.

Paranormal Activity (2007)

The gold standard of a runaway success in micro budget filmmaking. Paranormal Activity provided audiences with a fresh take on the possession sub genre of supernatural horror, and did so with a now familiar found-footage stylisation.

Initially debuted at Screamfest Horror Film Festival in 2007, Paranormal Activity didn’t see a cinematic release until 2009. Upon release, it grossed only $77,873 during its opening weekend, which in itself was a huge take against its tiny $15,000 budget.

Its reputation as fresh, exhilarating horror quickly gained traction. After three weeks of release it climbed to the pinnacle of box office success, standing at the number one domestic spot for seven days running. This breakout success then led to numerous sequels that tried, and mostly failed, to recapture the magic of the original.