Robert Eggers’ new take on the classic vampire story “Nosferatu” did better than expected, making an amazing $40.8 million over the Christmas holiday in its first five days. This includes $21.6 million from the normal weekend, making it one of the best starts for a specialty studio film this year.
The film, which Focus Features made for $50 million, deviated from normal holiday horror fare by providing a gothic daytime experience that drew audiences looking for something unique. It beat “The Faculty,” which had held the record for most horror movies released on Christmas Day for 26 years.
Lisa Bunnell, head of distribution at Focus Features, said, “When we scheduled the film for Christmas, many questioned the choice.” “However, we turned it into an event, and the strategy worked exceptionally well.”
Audience behavior supports the film’s success: 40% of ticket buyers bought their tickets just one day before going, which shows strong word-of-mouth support. The film has an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, meaning critics liked it. On the other hand, audiences gave it a “B-” CinemaScore, which is a typical score for horror pictures.
“Nosferatu,” with Bill Skarsgard as the vampire and Lily-Rose Depp as his tortured victim, has been Eggers’ dream project for a long time. Eggers is known for his moody films like “The Northman” and “The Lighthouse.” The project, first revealed in 2015, has undergone many changes. In an earlier version, Harry Styles would have played the part that Nicholas Hoult now plays.
With 65% of viewers aged 18 to 34 and slightly more than half identifying as men, the film particularly appealed to younger audiences. Industry experts think this trend reflects how people have been going to the movies since the pandemic, since younger male fans have been going back to the theaters regularly.
