Jobaaj Stories
2024 saw a year filled with sequels and remakes, and several high-profile movies raked in billions at the global box office. Films like Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine earned over a billion dollars, but none could match the unexpected success of a small indie film. Despite massive budgets and star power behind other hits, the most profitable film of the year was Terrifier 3—a low-budget, independent horror movie.
Made for just $2 million, Terrifier 3 stunned the world by earning $90 million worldwide, earning 45 times its budget. This Christmas supernatural slasher film was directed by Damien Leone and had no major stars, but it gained momentum through positive reviews and strong word of mouth. The film became a massive success, proving that a strong connection with the audience is sometimes more important than big names or expensive sets.
In comparison, Inside Out 2, the highest-grossing film of 2024, earned a whopping $1.7 billion. However, with a budget of $200 million, its profit percentage was much lower than Terrifier 3. Similarly, Deadpool & Wolverine grossed $1.33 billion, but again, its budget of $200 million meant its profit margin was significantly smaller.
Even in India, where Pushpa 2: The Rule was the highest-grossing film of the year, Terrifier 3 outperformed it in profitability. The Indian film earned ₹1700 crore (around $200 million) at the box office, roughly five times its budget. That’s impressive, but nowhere near the 45x return Terrifier 3 achieved.
How Terrifier 3 Beat Joker: Folie à Deux
Terrifier 3 and Joker: Folie à Deux were both released in October, but while many expected the Joker sequel to dominate, it was Terrifier 3 that stole the show. Despite hype surrounding the Joker franchise, poor reviews and a lack of interest from core fans caused Joker: Folie à Deux to struggle at the box office. In its opening weekend, Terrifier 3 earned $18.9 million in North America, whereas Joker 2 only managed $7 million.
The rise of Terrifier 3 highlights that even in a year of major blockbuster franchises, smaller films with strong content and an audience-focused approach can achieve remarkable success. It’s not always about the budget or stars—sometimes, it's all about delivering what the audience craves.
