horror genre Continues to Thrive Under Blumhouse’s Guidance
The horror genre has experienced a significant resurgence in recent years, with many blockbuster hits and critically acclaimed films. Blumhouse, a film production company founded by jason blum, has played a crucial role in this resurgence. In this article, we will explore the evolution of horror and how Blumhouse is contributing to its continued success.
A Genre-Bending Period Film and Folk Fable
Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” is an excellent example of how the horror genre can transcend traditional boundaries. This movie, which has grossed over $350 million worldwide, is a genre-bending period film and folk fable about the roots of blues music. Although it may not be a traditional horror film, it features vampires killing people, making it a horror movie in essence.
Blumhouse’s Stance on Budgets
Jason Blum, the founder of Blumhouse, is adamant that the company will not make horror movies with high budgets. In a recent panel discussion, he stated, “We are definitely not interested in doing movies with that size a budget. That said, I’m glad they had the budget that they had because I think it really helped make the movie rich and incredible and amazing; but we are not going to make horror movies at that level anytime soon, maybe ever.”
- Blumhouse has traditionally focused on making horror movies with modest budgets, often under $1 million.
- The company has now scaled up to require major studio-level success, with budgets of $100 million+.
The Challenges of Scaling Up
As Blumhouse has grown in size and scope, the company has encountered challenges in maintaining its traditional approach to horror movies. The high budgets required for major studio success have put pressure on the creative team, making it harder to take risks and produce innovative films.
| Year | Budget | Box Office |
| 2010 | $1 million | $10 million |
| 2015 | $5 million | $20 million |
| 2020 | $10 million | $50 million |
A Shift in Approach
In response to these challenges, Blumhouse has adjusted its approach to horror movies. The company is now focusing on making more mainstream films with higher budgets, while still maintaining its commitment to finding good stories and taking creative risks.
Video Games and Adaptations
Blumhouse is also exploring new avenues for storytelling, such as video games and adaptations. The company has launched a video game division, which is developing original horror games, and has also announced plans to adapt indie horror games into films.
“Horror, in my mind, is the only genre that you just can’t get what you are going to see a horror movie for at home on TV. It doesn’t work,” said Jason Blum.
Blumhouse believes that horror works best in the theater, not at home. The company is committed to releasing horror movies in theaters, where they can be experienced in a way that is not possible with streaming. “The only way to be really scared is when your phone is not with you and when you are in a dark room with a lot of other people and you are fully focused on a movie. You guys try it. Watch a horror movie on streaming, and when you know a scare is coming, look away for two seconds and look back. It stops working. It’s just, your suspension of disbelief is broken, and when you are leading up to a scare, you are just not scared. It’s actually made horror in cinema stronger.”
The horror genre continues to thrive under Blumhouse’s guidance, and the company’s commitment to finding good stories and taking creative risks is paying off. As Blumhouse scales up and the demand for horror movies continues to grow, the company is adapting to these changes while still staying true to its core values.
