As of November 2024, the most successful horror film franchises, based on global box office revenue, are:

1. The Conjuring Universe: This franchise, initiated with “The Conjuring” in 2013, has expanded to include films like “Annabelle,” “The Nun,” and their sequels. Collectively, these movies have grossed over $2.36 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing horror franchise to date.
2. Alien: Starting with Ridley Scott’s “Alien” in 1979, this sci-fi horror series has produced multiple sequels and prequels, including “Aliens,” “Prometheus,” and “Alien: Covenant.” The franchise has amassed approximately $1.65 billion globally.
3. Resident Evil: Based on the popular video game series, the “Resident Evil” films began in 2002 and have released several sequels, with the latest being “Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City” in 2021. The series has generated over $1.2 billion worldwide.
4. It: Adapted from Stephen King’s novel, the “It” franchise includes “It” (2017) and “It Chapter Two” (2019). Combined, these films have grossed over $1.1 billion globally.
5. Jaws: Steven Spielberg’s 1975 classic “Jaws” spawned three sequels. Collectively, the franchise has earned approximately $819 million worldwide.
6. Halloween: Beginning with John Carpenter’s “Halloween” in 1978, this slasher series has seen numerous sequels and reboots, including the recent trilogy concluding with “Halloween Ends” in 2022. The franchise has accumulated over $877 million globally.
7. Saw: Known for its intricate traps and moral dilemmas, the “Saw” series started in 2004 and has released multiple sequels, with “Saw X” premiering in 2023. The franchise has grossed over $1 billion worldwide.
8. Paranormal Activity: This found-footage horror series began in 2007 and has produced several sequels, with the latest installment, “Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin,” released in 2021. The franchise has earned over $890 million globally.

These franchises have not only achieved significant box office success but have also left a lasting impact on the horror genre, influencing numerous films and spawning dedicated fan bases.

Danny Boyle’s horror gem 28 Days Later tells the story of Jim, a young man waking up from a coma after an accident. The hospital is deserted. The streets of London are empty. There’s no one in sight. Not much time passes until Jim gets horribly attacked by vicious zombies that are definitely not the Romero-type of the undead. They’re fast and hungry. Luckily, Jim survives the attack and alongside other human survivors, starts a journey towards a sanctuary of some kind.

The Descent, written and directed by Neil Marshall, is a film that gets better and better after each rewatch. The story holds up, and Marshall keeps everything on a low-profile to avoid exposing everything. It tells the story of a group of female friends who go on a bonding trip to a remote location. Their intention is to explore a cave system. What they don’t expect is facing the creatures lurking inside that love to eat human flesh. The risky decision in its third act will forever feel like a trick to the audience, but sometimes that’s the purpose of horror. To play with you and subject you to the unnerving reality that forces you to think that maybe everything will not be OK.

In The Wicker Man, a devout police officer heads over to a mysterious island to investigate a girl’s disappearance. It’s a strange setting from the start, but it only makes him uncomfortable because of his religious values. However, things take a dark turn when Neil Howie notices the population doesn’t practice Christianity but some sort of paganism. And we all know what those include, right? Sacrifice! Robin Hardy’s film is a genre-bending folk horror movie that goes from funny to unsettling in a matter of minutes. If you ever want to prepare a double bill featuring Ari Aster’s Midsommar, The Wicker Man is the way to go.

An American Werewolf in London is a 1981 comedy horror film written and directed by John Landis. he film stars David Naughton, Jenny Agutter, Griffin Dunne and John Woodvine. The film’s plot follows two American backpackers, David and Jack, who are attacked by a werewolf while travelling in England, causing David to become a werewolf under the next full moon. This also puts his new relationship with pretty young nurse Alex Price and other people in jeopardy, while being haunted by visions of Jack and his victims.

Dog Soldiers is a 2002 British action horror film written, directed and edited by Neil Marshall in his  feature directorial debut. Starring Sean Pertwee, Kevin McKidd, Emma Cleasby and Liam Cunningham, the film follows a squad of soldiers fighting to survive an attack by a pack of werewolves during a military training exercise in the Scottish Highlands. Also one of the best werewolf movies ever.

André Øvredal’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is based on the book series written by Alvin Schwartz. Set on Halloween in 1968, a group of teenage friends find the book written by the daughter of Bellows family, Sarah, in a secret room. One of the children, Stella, takes the book home, and as she reads the book, new stories appear and play out on the screen. Sarah is sending a message, but what is it? You have to watch the movie to find out. The film stars Zoe Colletti, Michael Garza, Gabriel Rush, Gil Bellows, and Dean Norris.

Kevin S. Tenney’s Night of the Demons is a fun 80s horror comedy movie set on Halloween night when friends go to a party in an abandoned mortuary. Why? Because it’s spookier, that’s why. It stars Cathy Powell as goth queen Amelia Kinkade, horror darling Linnea Quigley, and Hal Havins. The film is perhaps most famous for Angela Franklin’s seductive dance to Bauhaus’s song Stigmata Martyr as she turns into a demon. Angela is the only character appearing in the entire series; the second film is also set on Halloween.

Trick ‘r Treat is a 2007 American anthology horror film written and directed by Michael Dougherty (in his directorial debut) and produced by Bryan Singer. The film stars Dylan Baker, Rochelle Aytes, Anna Paquin, and Brian Cox. It relates four Halloween horror stories with a common element in them: Sam, a trick-or-treating demon wearing orange footie pajamas with a burlap sack over his head. The character appears in each story whenever one of the other characters breaks a Halloween tradition. Despite being delayed for two years and having only a limited number of screenings at film festivals, the film received positive reviews and has since garnered a cult following.

The Coven is a 2015 United Kingdom fantasy horror feature film directed by John Mackie (director) and starring Dexter Fletcher. It is stated that the film is based upon actual events. The plot revolves around a Wiccan group, whose leader Uri Clef, and seven followers disappear. They were last seen at The Coven, a ring of trees in Queens Wood once used as a meeting place by practitioners of Cochrane’s Craft. Some schoolkids are drawn to visit Queen’s Wood in Highgate on Halloween.

Ginger Snaps is a 2000 Canadian supernatural horror film directed by John Fawcett and written by Karen Walton, from a story they jointly developed. The film stars Emily Perkins and Katharine Isabelle  as Brigitte and Ginger Fitzgerald, two morbid teenage sisters whose relationship is tested when Ginger (who has started her period for the first time) is attacked and bitten by an unknown animal, and then later, during the next full moon, slowly starts to transform into a werewolf. The supporting cast features Kris Lemche, Jesse Moss, Danielle Hampton, John Bourgeois, Peter Keleghan, and Mimi Rogers.

The top 10 most successful horror movie franchises, based on their cultural impact, box office success, and lasting popularity, are:

1. Halloween: Starting in 1978, this franchise introduced the iconic Michael Myers. With 13 films, it remains one of the most influential horror series, known for its suspense and slasher elements?.
2. Friday the 13th: Debuting in 1980, this franchise made Jason Voorhees a household name. It has 12 movies, including various reboots and sequels, that have left a significant mark on the slasher genre??.
3. A Nightmare on Elm Street: Wes Craven’s 1984 creation introduced Freddy Krueger. With 9 films, including a crossover with Jason Voorhees, it became a staple of horror with its blend of supernatural elements and slasher tropes??.
4. Saw: Beginning in 2004, this series is known for its elaborate traps and psychological horror. With 10 films, it has maintained a strong following due to its intricate plot twists and brutal scenarios??.
5. The Conjuring: Launched in 2013, this franchise includes the main Conjuring films and spin-offs like Annabelle and The Nun. Known for its paranormal themes, it has become a major player in modern horror?.
6. George Romero’s Dead Series: Starting with “Night of the Living Dead” in 1968, this series is foundational for zombie horror. Romero’s films like “Dawn of the Dead” and “Day of the Dead” set the standard for zombie apocalypses?.
7. Scream: Debuting in 1996, this franchise revitalized the slasher genre with its meta-commentary on horror films. It continues to be popular with both critics and audiences.
8. Child’s Play/Chucky: Starting in 1988, this series features the murderous doll Chucky. It remains notable for its mix of horror and dark humor, spawning several sequels and a TV series??.
9. Final Destination: With its first film in 2000, this series revolves around characters cheating death. Known for its creative and gruesome death scenes, it has five films with more potentially in the works??.
10. Alien: Starting in 1979, this sci-fi horror franchise has made significant contributions to both genres. With iconic characters like Ripley and terrifying creatures like the Xenomorph, it includes several sequels and spin-offs??.

These franchises have shaped the horror genre in various ways, from introducing iconic villains to setting new standards for horror storytelling.