Having played exclusively in theaters for over a month, Neon’s breakout horror hit,Longlegs, has passed perhaps its final global box office milestone. The movie is expected to hit digital platforms in just a few days, but the extended theatrical window that it was given by the indie distributor — in stark contrast to how Universal handledThe Fall GuyandTwisters— has certainly contributed to its sustained success at the box office. Initially seen as an answer to A24’s genre hits,Longlegshas gone on to overtake several studio releases in its theatrical run.
With $71.7 million domestically and another $18.3 million from overseas markets, the film has now passed acumulative global gross of $90 million. This is an astounding result, especially in a year that has been notoriously difficult for the horror genre.Longlegsreportedlycost less than $10 million to produce, which could only have increased Neon’s margins further.The indie distributor’s previous domestic record was held byParasite, which concluded its run with $53 million in 2020.
In its run,Longlegshas overtaken not onlyHereditary($81 million worldwide), but alsoSinister($87 million worldwide),28 Days Later($82 million),Hostel($82 million),Candyman($77 million),Crimson Peak($74 million) andThe Pope’s Exorcist($73 million). The movie is only $2 million shy of overtaking the lifetime global haul ofTalk to Me, and has now established itself as the year’s second-biggest horror hit, ahead of Korea’sExhuma($86 million), and behind onlyA Quiet Place: Day One($260 million).
There’s No Way ‘Longlegs’ Will Hit $100 Million, Will It?
Before the end of its run,Longlegsshould be able to overtake the lifetime global hauls of films such asThe Purge,Crawl, andDrag Me to Hell($91 million each). But it can hardly be categorized alongside them; regardless of their shared umbrella genre,Longlegshas one foot in the art-house, which makes its commercial success all the more impressive. This year has been particularly difficult for the horror genre, with high-profile studio under-performers such asAbigail($42 million),Imaginary($43 million), andNight Swim($54 million).
Directed byOsgood Perkins, the movie starsMaika Monroeas a rookie FBI agent tasked with tracking down an elusive serial killer played by an unrecognizableNicolas Cage.Longlegsopened to positive reviews, particularly for Cage’s performance, and the movie’s surprising supernatural elements. You can watchLonglegsin theaters, and very soon, also at home. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
A chilling horror thriller directed by Osgood Perkins. The film stars Maika Monroe as Lee Harker, a promising new FBI agent assigned to solve the mystery of an elusive serial killer played by Nicolas Cage. As Harker delves deeper into the case, she uncovers disturbing evidence of occult practices connected to the murders.
