#1 of 97 #1 horror movie of 2012
2012 · Action, Adventure
$403.4M worldwide · 15% of the chart's total
$126.5M US & Canada · 31% $276.9M elsewhere · 69%
Horror box office · 2012
Horror Box Office 2012: Highest-Grossing Horror Movies
Prometheus (2012) is the highest-grossing horror movie released in 2012, with $403.4M worldwide, ahead of Dark Shadows (2012) at $245.5M and Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) at $240.2M. 97 horror films released in 2012 report a worldwide gross, $2.7B in all, 37% of it from the US & Canada. 11 films crossed $100 million; none reached $1 billion. That is up 148% on 2011, whose releases took $1.1B. By language, English leads with $2.5B across 67 horror releases.
- 2012 releases with a gross
- 97
- combined worldwide
- $2.7B
- films crossed $100M
- 11
- vs 2011
- +148%
#1 of 97 Top 5
What Were the Biggest Horror Hits of 2012?
Prometheus (2012) leads with $403.4M, 15% of the total. The top 5 together took $1.3B, 46% of what all 97 films earned. Each bar splits a film's gross into the US & Canada and the rest of the world.
- Number 1
-
Number 2 -
Number 3 -
Number 4 -
Number 5
US & Canada (domestic) Rest of the world
The chart
Every Horror Release of 2012, Ranked by Worldwide Gross
Ranks 1 to 50 of 97. Lifetime worldwide grosses in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation; domestic means the US & Canada. Films are grouped by their release date in 2012.
- 1 Jun 8, 2012 US and Canada: $126.5M Rest of the world: $276.9M Worldwide: $403.4M
- 2 May 11, 2012 US and Canada: $79.7M Rest of the world: $165.8M Worldwide: $245.5M
- 3 Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)Sep 14, 2012 US and Canada: $42.3M Rest of the world: $197.8M Worldwide: $240.2M
Sep 14, 2012 · English · Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi $240.2M worldwide - 4 Feb 10, 2012 US and Canada: $126.4M Rest of the world: $81.7M Worldwide: $208.1M
- 5 Jan 20, 2012 US and Canada: $62.3M Rest of the world: $97.8M Worldwide: $160.1M
- 6
Oct 18, 2012 US and Canada: $53.9M Rest of the world: $88.9M Worldwide: $142.8M - 7
Feb 3, 2012 US and Canada: $54.3M Rest of the world: $74.6M Worldwide: $129M - 8
Feb 3, 2012 US and Canada: $64.6M Rest of the world: $62.1M Worldwide: $126.6M - 9
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)Jun 22, 2012 US and Canada: $37.5M Rest of the world: $79M Worldwide: $116.5M Jun 22, 2012 · English · Action, Thriller, Fantasy $116.5M worldwide - 10
Aug 17, 2012 US and Canada: $56M Rest of the world: $51.1M Worldwide: $107.1M - 11
Jan 6, 2012 US and Canada: $53.3M Rest of the world: $48.5M Worldwide: $101.8M - 12
Oct 5, 2012 US and Canada: $35.3M Rest of the world: $50.3M Worldwide: $85.6M - 13
Aug 31, 2012 US and Canada: $49.1M Rest of the world: $36.3M Worldwide: $85.4M - 14
Oct 12, 2012 US and Canada: $48.1M Rest of the world: $34.4M Worldwide: $82.5M - 15
Apr 13, 2012 US and Canada: $42.1M Rest of the world: $28M Worldwide: $70M - 16
Silent Hill: Revelation 3D (2012)Oct 26, 2012 US and Canada: $17.5M Rest of the world: $37.8M Worldwide: $55.4M Oct 26, 2012 · English · Mystery, Thriller, Horror $55.4M worldwide - 17
Sep 21, 2012 US and Canada: $31.6M Rest of the world: $12.7M Worldwide: $44.3M - 18
May 25, 2012 US and Canada: $18.1M Rest of the world: $20.3M Worldwide: $38.4M - 19
Sep 5, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $33.5M - 20
Jun 6, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $28.4M - 21
Nov 10, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $26.2M - 22
Jul 14, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $25.1M - 23
May 12, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $20.3M - 24
Sep 7, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $17.9M - 25
Mar 9, 2012 US and Canada: $12.8M Rest of the world: $3.8M Worldwide: $16.5M - 26
Jul 13, 2012 US and Canada: $52.6K Rest of the world: $14.1M Worldwide: $14.1M - 27
Aug 24, 2012 US and Canada: $4.9M Rest of the world: $6.4M Worldwide: $11.4M - 28
![[REC] 3: Genesis (2012) movie poster](https://whats-after-the-movie-ti152.sevalla.storage/movies/rec-3-genesis.jpg)
Sep 7, 2012 US and Canada: $9.6K Rest of the world: $11M Worldwide: $11M - 29
Nov 30, 2012 US and Canada: $6.8M Rest of the world: $3.1M Worldwide: $9.9M - 30
Oct 26, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $8.8M - 31
Jun 1, 2012 US and Canada: $376.5K Rest of the world: $8.1M Worldwide: $8.5M - 32
Aug 31, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $7.5M - 33
Aug 17, 2012 US and Canada: $209.7K Rest of the world: $6.7M Worldwide: $6.9M - 34
Dec 28, 2012 US and Canada: $21.8K Rest of the world: $6M Worldwide: $6M - 35
Jul 6, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $5.7M - 36
Mar 30, 2012 US and Canada: $69.1K Rest of the world: $5.4M Worldwide: $5.5M - 37
Jul 25, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.9M - 38
Jul 25, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.5M - 39
Aug 14, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2.3M - 40
Oct 16, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $2M - 41
Oct 5, 2012 US and Canada: $100.3K Rest of the world: $1.8M Worldwide: $1.9M - 42
Aug 2, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.9M - 43
May 31, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.8M - 44
Sep 6, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.8M - 45
Jun 1, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.7M - 46
Nov 2, 2012 US and Canada: $30.7K Rest of the world: $1.6M Worldwide: $1.6M - 47
Mar 14, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2M - 48
Jan 31, 2012 US and Canada: – Rest of the world: – Worldwide: $1.2M - 49
Feb 3, 2012 US and Canada: $78.4K Rest of the world: $1.1M Worldwide: $1.2M - 50
May 11, 2012 US and Canada: $92.5K Rest of the world: $849.6K Worldwide: $942K
US & Canada vs the world
Where Did the Money Come From in 2012?
Of the top 10, Safe House (2012) earned the biggest share at home (61% in the US & Canada), while Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) made 82% of its gross abroad. Across all 97 films, $1B (37%) came from the US & Canada.
- 1 Prometheus (2012) $403.4M $126.5M US & Canada · 31% $276.9M elsewhere · 69%
- 2 Dark Shadows (2012) $245.5M $79.7M US & Canada · 32% $165.8M elsewhere · 68%
- 3 Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) $240.2M $42.3M US & Canada · 18% $197.8M elsewhere · 82%
- 4 Safe House (2012) $208.1M $126.4M US & Canada · 61% $81.7M elsewhere · 39%
- 5 Underworld: Awakening (2012) $160.1M $62.3M US & Canada · 39% $97.8M elsewhere · 61%
- 6 Paranormal Activity 4 (2012) $142.8M $53.9M US & Canada · 38% $88.9M elsewhere · 62%
- 7 The Woman in Black (2012) $129M $54.3M US & Canada · 42% $74.6M elsewhere · 58%
- 8 Chronicle (2012) $126.6M $64.6M US & Canada · 51% $62.1M elsewhere · 49%
- 9 Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012) $116.5M $37.5M US & Canada · 32% $79M elsewhere · 68%
- 10 ParaNorman (2012) $107.1M $56M US & Canada · 52% $51.1M elsewhere · 48%
Gross bands
How Many 2012 Releases Crossed $100 Million?
11 of 97 films crossed $100M and took $2B between them, 72% of the total. 69 films, 71% of the list, earned under $10M.
72% 24%
- $1B or more 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $500M to $1B 0 films, 0% of the list No films
- $100M to $500M 11 films, 11% of the list $2B · 72% of the gross
- $10M to $100M 17 films, 18% of the list $666.1M · 24% of the gross
- Under $10M 69 films, 71% of the list $95.4M · 3% of the gross
By release month
Which Month of 2012 Earned the Most?
June releases took the most, $559.6M from 7 films, led by Prometheus (2012). December was the quietest month ($7.5M). Each column is a release month and links to that month's chart.
- January Jan Underworld: Awakening (2012) $263.2M Underworld: Awakening (2012)
- February Feb Safe House (2012) $465.7M Safe House (2012)
- March Mar Silent House (2012) $23.9M Silent House (2012)
- April Apr The Cabin in the Woods (2012) $71.4M The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
- May May Dark Shadows (2012) $308.6M Dark Shadows (2012)
- June Jun Prometheus (2012) $559.6M Prometheus (2012)
- July Jul Helter Skelter (2012) $51.2M Helter Skelter (2012)
- August Aug ParaNorman (2012) $223.4M ParaNorman (2012)
- September Sep Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) $348.9M Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
- October Oct Paranormal Activity 4 (2012) $380.7M Paranormal Activity 4 (2012)
- November Nov Lesson of the Evil (2012) $38.4M Lesson of the Evil (2012)
- December Dec Blue Exorcist: The Movie (2012) $7.5M Blue Exorcist: The Movie (2012)
Last 10 years
How Does 2012 Compare With Previous Years?
Of these 10 years, 2012 earned the most: $2.7B from 97 films, led by Prometheus (2012).
| Year | Films | Worldwide | Change | Biggest film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 41 films | 41 | $970.4M | – | Gothika (2003) $141.6M |
| 2004 68 films · +30% | 68 | $1.3B | +30% | The Grudge (2004) $187.3M |
| 2005 79 films · +34% | 79 | $1.7B | +34% | Constantine (2005) $230.9M |
| 2006 96 films · −26% | 96 | $1.2B | −26% | Saw III (2006) $164.9M |
| 2007 112 films · +29% | 112 | $1.6B | +29% | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) $153.4M |
| 2008 78 films · −59% | 78 | $661.8M | −59% | Saw V (2008) $113.9M |
| 2009 98 films · +116% | 98 | $1.4B | +116% | The Final Destination (2009) $186.2M |
| 2010 81 films · −11% | 81 | $1.3B | −11% | Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010) $300.2M |
| 2011 92 films · −13% | 92 | $1.1B | −13% | Paranormal Activity 3 (2011) $207M |
| 2012 97 films · +148% | 97 | $2.7B | +148% | Prometheus (2012) $403.4M |
By language
Which Languages Do the Biggest Horror Movies Speak in 2012?
English-language horror films took $2.5B across 67 films, 91% of the total, ahead of French-language horror films ($101.8M) and Japanese-language horror films ($80.7M).
2012 Horror Box Office by Language
- English $2.5B67 films · #1 Prometheus (2012)
-
French $101.8M1 film · #1 The Devil Inside (2012) -
Japanese $80.7M6 films · #1 Lesson of the Evil (2012) -
Hindi $17.9M2 films · #1 Raaz 3: The Third Dimension (2012) -
Spanish $11.5M3 films · #1 [REC] 3: Genesis (2012) -
Tagalog $4.5M2 films · #1 The Healing (2012) -
Thai $3M4 films · #1 I Miss U (2012) -
Korean $2.9M1 film · #1 Horror Stories (2012) -
Turkish $2.1M2 films · #1 D@bbe: Demon Possession (2012) -
Chinese $1.7M1 film · #1 The Chrysalis (2012)
Archive
Horror Box Office Year by Year
Every year from 1920 to 2026 with its total and its biggest film. 2018 leads with $3.7B, led by Venom (2018).
2020s 7 years · $15.4B
- 2026 so far $2.5B #1 Backrooms (2026)
- 2025 $2.7B #1 The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025)
- 2024 $2.6B #1 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
- 2023 $2.7B #1 Meg 2: The Trench (2023)
- 2022 $2.6B #1 Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
- 2021 $1.6B #1 Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021)
- 2020 $697.4M #1 The Invisible Man (2020)
2010s 10 years · $22.6B
- 2019 $3.1B #1 It: Chapter Two (2019)
- 2018 $3.7B #1 Venom (2018)
- 2017 $3.5B #1 It (2017)
- 2016 $1.9B #1 The Conjuring 2 (2016)
- 2015 $1.6B #1 Mojin: The Lost Legend (2015)
- 2014 $1.4B #1 Annabelle (2014)
- 2013 $2.2B #1 World War Z (2013)
- 2012 $2.7B #1 Prometheus (2012)
- 2011 $1.1B #1 Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)
- 2010 $1.3B #1 Resident Evil: Afterlife (2010)
2000s 10 years · $12.1B
- 2009 $1.4B #1 The Final Destination (2009)
- 2008 $661.8M #1 Saw V (2008)
- 2007 $1.6B #1 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
- 2006 $1.2B #1 Saw III (2006)
- 2005 $1.7B #1 Constantine (2005)
- 2004 $1.3B #1 The Grudge (2004)
- 2003 $970.4M #1 Gothika (2003)
- 2002 $1.1B #1 Signs (2002)
- 2001 $712.3M #1 The Others (2001)
- 2000 $1.3B #1 What Lies Beneath (2000)
1990s 10 years · $5.4B
- 1999 $1.3B #1 The Blair Witch Project (1999)
- 1998 $929.6M #1 Godzilla (1998)
- 1997 $720.6M #1 Scream 2 (1997)
- 1996 $357.9M #1 Scream (1996)
- 1995 $283.3M #1 Species (1995)
- 1994 $368.5M #1 Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
- 1993 $165M #1 The Good Son (1993)
- 1992 $571M #1 Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
- 1991 $285.2M #1 Cape Fear (1991)
- 1990 $450.5M #1 Flatliners (1990)
1980s 10 years · $2.5B
- 1989 $214.3M #1 Pet Sematary (1989)
- 1988 $284.7M #1 A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988)
- 1987 $325.5M #1 The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
- 1986 $262.9M #1 The Fly (1986)
- 1985 $185.9M #1 A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985)
- 1984 $303.5M #1 Gremlins (1984)
- 1983 $243.8M #1 Jaws 3-D (1983)
- 1982 $289M #1 Poltergeist (1982)
- 1981 $209.9M #1 An American Werewolf in London (1981)
- 1980 $175M #1 The Shining (1980)
1970s 10 years · $1.7B
- 1979 $279.6M #1 Alien (1979)
- 1978 $286.6M #1 Jaws 2 (1978)
- 1977 $45.7M #1 Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977)
- 1976 $149.4M #1 The Omen (1976)
- 1975 $481.8M #1 Jaws (1975)
- 1974 $32.1M #1 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
- 1973 $431.3M #1 The Exorcist (1973)
- 1972 $1.6K #1 Images (1972)
- 1971 $2.7M #1 THX 1138 (1971)
- 1970 $40.6K #1 Multiple Maniacs (1970)
1960s 10 years · $33M
- 1969 $171 #1 Night of the Bloody Apes (1969)
- 1968 $242.2K #1 Night of the Living Dead (1968)
- 1967 $240.1K #1 Night of the Big Heat (1967)
- 1966 $5.6K #1 Eye of the Devil (1966)
- 1965 $34.7K #1 Repulsion (1965)
- 1964 $1.2K #1 Onibaba (1964)
- 1963 $55.4K #1 The Birds (1963)
- 1962 $4.5K #1 What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
- 1961 $30.2K #1 The Innocents (1961)
- 1960 $32.4M #1 Psycho (1960)
1950s 7 years · $24.4M
1940s 5 years · $42.7K
1930s 6 years · $168.1K
FAQ
Horror Box Office 2012: Questions & Answers
The chart's numbers in short: the #1 film, the total, the billion-dollar hits and the US & Canada share, answered from the same 97 films as the chart.
What is the highest-grossing horror movie in 2012?
Prometheus (2012) leads with $403.4M worldwide, $126.5M of it in the US & Canada. Next come Dark Shadows (2012) at $245.5M and Resident Evil: Retribution (2012) at $240.2M.
How much did horror movies released in 2012 earn?
97 horror films released in 2012 report a worldwide gross, $2.7B in all, or $28.3M per film on average. 2011 releases took $1.1B.
How many horror movies released in 2012 made $1 billion?
None. 11 films crossed $100 million, led by Prometheus (2012) with $403.4M.
How is the 2012 horror box office chart ranked and where do the numbers come from?
Films are ranked by lifetime worldwide gross in US dollars, not adjusted for inflation, and grouped by their release date in 2012. The figures are the reported box office grosses in our database. A gross that looks misattributed, such as one figure shared by two unrelated films or a blockbuster total on an obscure title, is left out rather than shown as a fact.
How often is the 2012 horror box office chart updated?
Grosses change while films are in theaters and whenever a new figure is reported; this chart reads the latest numbers in our database, so an older film can still move after a re-release.