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$15,000 Horror Film Becomes $194 Million Global Blockbuster
31 Oct
Summary
- Paranormal Activity, a $15,000 home-filmed horror movie, became a $194 million global hit.
- The found-footage format and simple setup evolved into one of the most effective tools in horror history.
- The low budget not only saved money but also amplified the fear.
In a remarkable turn of events, a $15,000 home-filmed horror movie has become the most profitable horror film ever made. Paranormal Activity, directed by Oren Peli, has defied all odds and grossed a staggering $194 million globally.
The film's success is a testament to the power of the horror genre. Often made on shoestring budgets, horror movies have a unique ability to captivate audiences with their raw atmosphere and sting. Paranormal Activity took this idea to new heights, utilizing a found-footage format and a simple setup that made the story feel unnervingly real.
Peli, who wrote, directed, edited, and even shot the film using an ordinary home camera, created a haunting tale of a couple terrorized in their own house. The low budget not only saved money but also amplified the fear, as the grainy texture and raw atmosphere became part of the film's power. When Paramount took over distribution, they resisted the temptation to remake it with a higher budget, as test audiences were already terrified by the original's simplicity.
