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Subject:
SAW all set to takeover as #1 horror franchise- SAW 6 clears the healthcare debate
Le Zookeeper
10/23/2009 8:55:04 PM
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| The first "Saw" movie was made for just over a million dollars, and it was originally intended to go direct to DVD. But after scaring audiences silly at film festivals, it was picked up for theatrical release and a surprise smash was born. And after five consecutive years of putting out a new frightening film every Halloween, the "Saw" series became the highest-grossing horror movie franchise in history.
That is, until this past February when a new version of "Friday the 13th" brought back Jason, the maniac behind the goalie mask. It was a sizable hit, pushing that series ahead of "Saw" in the all-time rankings.
With "Saw VI" launching this weekend, the franchise has a good shot at passing "Friday" for the top slot. But the grosses have declined for each successive movie since "Saw II," and if this one slips too far behind, the series won't be able to pull ahead.
Here are the current standings for the top five highest-grossing horror film franchises. All totals are only the domestic grosses for each film. Figures are provided by BoxOfficeMojo.com.
1. FRIDAY THE 13TH
Total Gross: $380,637,525
Number of Films: 12
Average Gross: $31,719,794
Much like the lumbering maniac at the center of the series, "Friday the 13th" is a franchise that cannot be killed. Released in 1980, the first movie was an enormous success, bringing in over 50 times what it cost to produce. This year's restart was the biggest hit of the franchise after "Freddy vs. Jason," and another sequel is in the works for next August.
Watch the Trailer for 'Friday the 13th' (2009) >>
2. SAW
Total Gross: $342,510,598
Number of Films: 5
Average Gross: $68,502,120
While it was certainly a shock when the first movie came out of nowhere to earn $55 million, the $87 million take of "Saw II" was even more of a surprise. It's also impressive to note that this series has made nearly as much as "Friday the 13th" with half as many movies (and in one-sixth the amount of time). Of course, work has already begun on "Saw VII."
Watch the Trailer for 'Saw' (2003) >>
3. HALLOWEEN
Total Gross: $307,729,650
Number of Films: 10
Average Gross: $30,772,965
John Carpenter's "Halloween" has rightfully been credited as the original slasher film. With a budget around $300,000, it earned approximately $47 million. The series was successfully brought back in the late '90s, and then Rob Zombie's re-imagining in 2007 had the biggest gross of all at $58 million. Zombie's sequel this year fell short of expectations with $32.5 million, and plans for another installment have recently been put on hold.
Watch the Trailer for 'Halloween' (2007) >>
4. A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET
Total Gross: $307,420,075
Number of Films: 8
Average Gross: $38,427,509
Twenty-five years ago, Robert Englund first put on the hat, sweater, and razor-clawed glove to become Freddy Kruger in Wes Craven's "A Nightmare on Elm Street." He played the role seven more times on film, including "Freddy vs. Jason," which is the most successful movie for both characters. This April, Oscar-nominated actor Jackie Earle Haley will be taking over as Freddy in an updated version, which will surely push the series into the top three on this list.
Watch the Trailer for 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' (2010) >>
5. SCREAM
Total Gross: $293,553,139
Number of Films: 3
Average Gross: $97,851,046
When the first "Scream" became a $100 million blockbuster, it ushered in a new era of self-aware horror films that in some ways derailed the irony-free slashers from before. It was followed by two hit sequels, giving this series the highest per-film average on the list. The franchise has been on hold for the past decade, but screenwriter Kevin Williamson, director Wes Craven, and stars Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette are all in talks to reunite for a fourth
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