While we usually think of October as the best month for horror movies, the summer of 2025 had a great lineup of spooky releases. With major franchises like The Conjuring and Final Destination releasing their latest installments, audiences proved once again that they’re eager for a good scare, no matter the season.
Horror movies have a way of crawling under our skin in a manner that keeps us coming back for more, even when sequels number in the double digits. Some of these cinematic universes have turned our deepest fears into box office numbers, building terrifying franchises out of ghosts, aliens, and masked villains. Today, we’re taking a look at which horror franchises have frightened their way to the top of the earnings charts.
Final Destination Bloodlines; Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
The Big Winners
Topping our list is The Conjuring Universe, a modern horror series that has amassed a staggering $2.7 billion across ten films. What started with the terrifying tales of Ed and Lorraine Warren has expanded into a sprawling universe of demonic nuns, creepy dolls, and, of course, ghosts. And apparently, fans can’t get enough, with an average gross of over $277 million per film.
The Conjuring: Last Rites; Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Coming in at a close second is the iconic Alien franchise. Since the first xenomorph burst onto the scene in 1979, this sci-fi horror series has been a box office behemoth, earning nearly $2 billion over nine films. From the claustrophobic corridors of the Nostromo to the distant worlds of Prometheus, the Alien films have forever shaped the trajectory of science fiction horror, giving us one of the coolest female leads ever to grace the screen.
Nostromo Bridge, Alien; Image credit: 20th Century Fox
Rounding out our top three is the action-packed Resident Evil series. Based on the popular video game, this franchise has sliced and diced its way to over $1.2 billion at the box office. With ten films under its belt, the series follows the adventures of Alice as she battles the Umbrella Corporation and hordes of the undead. A blend of gory action and zombie horror, Resident Evil has amassed a fanbase that keeps coming back for every chapter.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City; Image credit: Screen Gems (through Sony Pictures Releasing)
Franchises With the Most Films
When it comes to sheer quantity, Halloween is the undisputed king of horror franchises, culminating in 13 films since Michael Myers first donned his mask and menaced his way across the screen in 1978. While the total earnings sit at around $886 million, the 2018 reboot was a standout hit with $259 million.
Halloween Ends; Image credit: Universal Pictures
Not far behind, The Conjuring Universe, Saw, and Resident Evil clock in at 10 films each. While none of these series have much in common (other than belonging under the horror umbrella), they all manage to sell enough tickets with their haunted dolls, campy zombies, and elaborate death traps to warrant sequels.
Saw X; Image credit: Lionsgate Films
Meanwhile, the Ring franchise takes an interesting spot on this list with 11 films, although its worldwide total sits lower at $654 million. The original 2002 American release remains the highest earner, pulling in $249 million; however, the majority of additions to the franchise are actually Japanese, including a manga series, novels, films, and TV shows, which haven’t attracted a worldwide audience like the 2002 film.
The Ring; Image credit: Toho Co., Ltd.
The Highest-Grossing Scares
While the franchises as a whole are impressive, some individual films have reached incredible heights at the box office. The 2017 adaptation of Stephen King’s It floated to the top with a massive $702.7 million worldwide. Pennywise the Clown has been a horror icon since the days Tim Curry donned the curly red wig, but Bill Skarsgard took the character from camp to truly horrifying in the more recent version.
It Chapter Two; Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Another standout is I Am Legend, which earned a colossal $585.5 million. Will Smith’s gripping performance as the last man on Earth amidst a plague of nocturnal, vampire-like mutants created a post-apocalyptic world that was both thrilling and emotionally devastating. Then, the icon who ruined beach vacations forever, Jaws, chomped its way to nearly $500 million in 1975. Not only did it terrify beachgoers everywhere, but it also essentially created the summer blockbuster model we still see today.
I Am Legend; Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
While many iconic film revivals are met with skepticism, the recently released Beetlejuice Beetlejuice still managed to pull an impressive $452 million. This one didn’t exactly provide the same level of bone-chilling horror as some of the others on our list, but the appeal of the sassy, mischievous ghost played by Michael Keaton still sold tickets.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice; Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures
Finally, a horror classic for a reason, 1973’s The Exorcist brought in $430 million worldwide, while the 2012 Alien prequel film Prometheus brought in $403 million.
Prometheus; Image credit: 20th Century Fox
Top Horror Movie Franchises of All Time
| Rank | Series | Total worldwide box office revenue | No. of films | Average revenue per film | Highest-grossing film |
| 1 | The Conjuring Universe | $2,776,803,395 | 10 | $277,680,340 | The Conjuring: Last Rites ($400,007,873) |
| 2 | Alien | $1,995,347,220 | 9 | $221,705,247 | Prometheus ($403,354,469) |
| 3 | Resident Evil | $1,284,423,262 | 10 | $128,442,326 | The Final Chapter ($314,101,190) |
| 4 | It | $1,175,874,976 | 2 | $587,937,488 | It ($702,781,748) |
| 5 | Saw | $1,141,842,812 | 10 | $114,184,281 | Saw III ($164,874,275) |
| 6 | Final Destination | $981,014,779 | 6 | $163,502,463 | Bloodlines ($313,030,814) |
| 7 | Hannibal | $927,409,175 | 5 | $185,481,835 | Hannibal ($351,692,268) |
| 8 | Scream | $912,418,099 | 6 | $152,069,683 | Scream (1996) ($173,046,663) |
| 9 | A Quiet Place | $900,235,208 | 3 | $300,078,403 | A Quiet Place ($340,955,294) |
| 10 | Scary Movie | $897,238,267 | 5 | $179,447,653 | Scary Movie ($278,019,771) |
| 11 | Paranormal Activity | $891,360,880 | 6 | $148,560,147 | Paranormal Activity 3 ($207,039,844) |
| 12 | Halloween | $886,099,414 | 13 | $68,161,493 | Halloween (2018) ($259,939,869) |
| 13 | Jaws | $845,869,455 | 4 | $211,467,364 | Jaws ($497,101,011) |
| 14 | Predator | $750,883,274 | 6 | $125,147,212 | Alien vs. Predator ($177,427,090) |
| 15 | Insidious | $744,379,972 | 5 | $148,875,994 | The Red Door ($189,086,877) |
| 16 | The Exorcist | $716,005,754 | 6 | $119,334,292 | The Exorcist ($430,872,776) |
| 17 | The Ring | $654,610,579 | 11 | $59,510,053 | The Ring ($249,348,933) |
| 18 | I Am Legend | $589,532,684 | 2 | $294,766,342 | I Am Legend ($585,532,684) |
| 19 | The Purge | $533,051,095 | 5 | $106,610,219 | The First Purge ($136,211,978) |
| 20 | Beetlejuice | $527,122,172 | 2 | $263,561,086 | Beetlejuice Beetlejuice ($452,000,435) |
Whether you’re into supernatural hauntings or relentless slashers, the diverse world of horror franchises has something for every horror fan. These films have not only deprived us of sleep but have also become a massive part of our pop culture. They are a testament to the power of a good story, a memorable villain, and our unending fascination with the things that go bump in the night.
See more:
- Where to Stream the Best Halloween Movies in 2025
- 8 Spectacular Scary Movies Without Gore
- Timeline of the Highest-Grossing R-Rated Films
Source: Wikipedia
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