Nosferatu, the 2024 remake of the 1922 horror film directed by Robert Eggers, has surpᴀssed $155 million in global box office earnings. Starring Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok, Nosferatu follows a 1830s estate agent, Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult), who travels to Transylvania to meet Count Orlok, leaving his wife Ellen (Lily-Rose Depp) to face a malevolent force that threatens her life. Nosferatu has received generally positive reviews, and has been praised for its unsettling visuals and atmospheric tone. Moreover, the film has been nominated for various accolades for the 2024-2025 awards season so far, such as 5 BAFTA awards and 4 Critics’ Choice awards.
According to The Numbers, Nosferatu’s box office performance stands out in the notoriously crowded marketplace of horror films. The film’s steady earnings have demonstrated a global appeal, with international charts leading in the United Kingdom and Mexico and contributing to the total of $155M so far. Most notably, Nosferatu surpᴀsses another high-grossing horror film released in 2024, Smile 2, which grossed $137.9M.
What This Means For Nosferatu’s Box Office Performance, Compared to Smile 2
Nosferatu Skims By Smile 2
Nosferatu’s impressive box office haul of $155M is significant for a film that was expected to appeal to a niche audience. The film has shown consistent box office returns, contributing to its steady performance across almost four weeks in theaters. Furthermore, Nosferatu became the second highest-grossing film for its studio, Focus Features. Despite lacking major franchise backing or widespread marketing, Nosferatu has maintained a strong presence in theaters and earned a solid 85% RT score.
When comparing Nosferatu’s global earnings to the $137.9M earnings of Smile 2, the difference is noteworthy. Smile 2 had a solid run, but Nosferatu’s swift surpᴀssing of its earnings indicates that it may have a stronger appeal, being that it is a reimagination of the 1922 classic. Smile 2, a sequel to the 2022 hit Smile, achieved success primarily through its familiarity with audiences and vastly positive reviews, earning a slightly higher RT score of 86%. While Smile 2 was successful, Nosferatu’s broader international appeal suggests a shift in audience demand.
Our Take on Nosferatu’s $155M Box Office Achievement
The Numbers Indicate Audiences May Be Gravitating Toward More Artistic Horror Films
Nosferatu’s box office performance speaks to the increasing popularity of artistically-ambitious horror films. Additionally, its success suggests a fluctuation in the types of horror films that resonate with audiences worldwide, with visually striking, original work finding a place alongside more conventional releases. As the film continues to surpᴀss other successful horror films, Nosferatu is a promising sign for the future of drama films and could pave the way for even more creatively daring projects to break into the mainstream market.
Source: The Numbers (Nosferatu) / The Numbers (Smile 2)
