"Nosferatu" is stirring up a storm on the roster of all-time highest-grossing horror films, soaring past a beloved classic franchise. Robert Eggers' 2024 reimagining of the seminal 1922 silent horror film of the same name breathes new life into the Dracula narrative. The star-studded ensemble of "Nosferatu" boasts Bill Skarsgård in the title role as Count Orlok, joined by Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nicholas Hoult, and Emma Corrin. Having premiered on December 25 in the United States, the movie has recently surpassed a notable box office milestone.
According to The Numbers, "Nosferatu" has ascended into the top 50 highest-grossing horror films of all time, surpassing the $100 million mark worldwide with a cumulative gross (to date) of $136.1 million. The film now resides at the prestigious #46 spot on the list of top 100 All-Time Domestic Box Office for Horror Movies, with a domestic tally of $82.63 million. "Nosferatu's" robust performance has seen it edge out "Freddy vs. Jason," which holds the #47 position with a domestic total of $82.62 million, and it is hot on the heels of "Insidious Chapter 2's" $83.6 million.
While "Nosferatu" may not have achieved blockbuster status in terms of box office returns, as a 132-minute Gothic horror film, its performance is commendable. There's ample reason to believe that it could sustain its impressive momentum and enjoy a lengthy theatrical run well into February. It remains to be seen how well "Nosferatu" will fare throughout its entire theatrical stint, but there's a strong possibility that it could soon break into the top 40, overtaking "Saw II" at #40 with its domestic total of $87 million. Eggers' film only needs to rake in an additional $5 million, a figure that seems entirely attainable given its recent weekend earnings of nearly $7 million.
Eggers has always been a director driven by the pursuit of aesthetic perfection, and while films like "The Lighthouse" and "The Northman" may not appeal to everyone, their distinctive style and flair have endeared him to many audiences. Coupled with this is the timeless Dracula myth brought to life, serving as a potent addition to the "Nosferatu" film series. The mesmerizing appeal of vampire mythology is poised to bolster the film's box office appeal.
The nature of "Nosferatu" ensures that it will unlikely disturb the top of the chart, with "IT's" $328.8 million domestic gross and "Jaws's" $273.6 million safely out of its reach. However, while it's an unlikely scenario, it's not impossible for the film to hit $100 million domestically, a milestone that would elevate it above Nicole Kidman's stylish horror classic "The Others." With a talented cast, a familiar storyline, and stunning cinematography, the film could also receive a boost from a slew of award nominations, allowing "Nosferatu" to sink its fangs deeper into the box office.
