Independent Horror Film ‘Terrifier 3’ Set to Challenge Box Office Giants

In an unexpected twist at the box office this weekend, the independently produced gory slasher horror film, ‘Terrifier 3’ by Cineverse, is poised to outperform major Hollywood studio releases. The film is anticipated to gross over $11 million, surpassing Warner Bros‘ newly released ‘The Marvels‘, which opened to disappointing numbers.

Disney/Marvel‘s ‘The Marvels’ faced a significant hurdle with a steep 78% drop in its second weekend. This marks the largest decline for a Marvel Cinematic Universe title, following an unremarkable $46.1 million opening. Meanwhile, the latest Warner Bros release opened at $37.6 million, but has been lagging in mid-week gains compared to ‘The Marvels’, hinting at a challenging second weekend.

Cineverse’s ‘Terrifier 3’, directed by Damien Leone, follows the unsettling story of Art the Clown unleashing chaos on residents of Miles County during Christmas Eve. David Howard Thornton stars as Art, with Lauren LaVera taking on a co-leading role. The film boasts an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 32 reviews, indicating strong approval from critics and potentially boosting its box office appeal.

Promotional efforts for ‘Terrifier 3’ have primarily targeted Cineverse’s existing audience on streaming platforms, podcasts, and the horror site Bloody Disgusting, collectively incurring less than $1 million in marketing expenses. Despite the modest marketing budget, the film is experiencing sell-outs for its Thursday into Friday showings.

This weekend’s box office also sees the release of several other films. Sony is releasing its critically acclaimed film, which opened at film festivals, at 2,300 locations, projected to earn between $3.5 million and $5 million. The movie, directed by Jason Reitman, has accumulated $661K to date, with positive critical reception driving interest.

Additionally, Focus Features is showcasing Morgan Neville‘s documentary about Pharrell Williams, projected to earn upwards of $3 million at 1,851 sites. Lastly, Briarcliff Entertainment rolls out the Donald Trump biopic, featuring Sebastian Stan and Oscar nominee Maria Bakalova, across 1,740 locations, though it’s expected to open with modest earnings due to legal controversies during its Cannes debut.

‘Terrifier 3’ has also captured international attention, notably in France where the film has been flagged for its explicit content, receiving a rare ban for viewers under 18. This decision by France’s Classification Committee has stirred debates over censorship and artistic freedom, highlighting the film’s controversial yet gripping appeal.