Damien Leone's “Terrifier 3” is off to a stunning start, raking in an impressive $3.5 million during Thursday previews alone. Even more remarkable, the screenings didn't even start until 8 PM, which makes this early success even more notable. For context, Terrifier 3 has already recouped its entire $2 million budget in a single evening—an achievement most films can only dream of.
The third installment in the cult favorite “Terrifier” franchise follows the sadistic antics of Art the Clown, played once again by David Howard Thornton. Returning alongside him is Lauren LaVera, reprising her role from “Terrifier 2.” Directed by Damien Leone, who also handled writing and special effects, the film's grassroots success is largely fueled by its rapidly growing fanbase.
What's more, Terrifier 3 is already outpacing its predecessor, “Terrifier 2,” which took its entire domestic run to reach $10 million. With the third film on track to surpass that by Saturday morning, it's clear this indie horror series is defying industry expectations. While major studios like Warner Bros. are investing hundreds of millions into projects like “Joker: Folie à Deux,” which is set to lose this weekend, Leone's micro-budgeted horror flick is proving that big budgets aren't always needed for success.
While I'm not personally a fan of the franchise's shock-horror style, I can't deny the cultural significance of this moment. It's a refreshing reminder to Hollywood that you can deliver successful, competitive films on a small budget. And isn't that a lesson we could use more of these days?
What are your thoughts? Will Terrifier 3 change the game for indie horror films, or is it just a fluke success?
