A press release sent out by Paramount Pictures is lauding the fact that their low budget Hail Mary, Paranormal Activity, has grossed over $100 million domestically alone. Considering what it cost to make and the very cheap method of advertising used to promote the film, it is a landmark success for the company and possibly one of the most successful bets in the industry.
Crossing the $100 million mark at the box office also pushes the film into being the top grossing R-Rated thriller of the past decade. It even has, however unlikely, accumulated enough money to earn the mantle for the fifth largest horror release ever. I am sure that no one involved in the production or the distribution of the film could have ever imagined such success. The film continues to pull in successful numbers every weekend and is still retaining momentum as word-of-mouth continues to grow.
Check out the full press release from Paramount Pictures below.
On a side note, an interesting, and quite un-nerving, fact for you: I was playing with the numbers a little while writing this article. Considering the film cost $15,000 to make and has made $100 million theatrically, I wanted to know how much more the gross was compared to the actual cost. Let’s do a little math: $100,000,000 / $15,000 = 6666.666666… Yes, you read correctly. The film has made 6666.666666… times more what it cost to make. I’m not normally superstitious but I think it might be time to head to confessional.
PARAMOUNT PICTURES’ PARANORMAL ACTIVITY SOARS PAST THE $100 MILLION MARK
Film Becomes Highest Grossing R-Rated Thriller of the Past Decade
HOLLYWOOD, CA (November 12, 2009) – The hit $15,000 thriller PARANORMAL ACTIVITY has grown from its midnight-only showings in a handful of college towns to become this year’s biggest movie phenomenon, and will cross $100 million at the box office after only five weekends of national release as of Friday. In so doing, the movie has become the top grossing R-Rated thriller of the past decade.
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY began its theatrical life with midnight-only screenings in 12 college towns across the U.S. and quickly developed into a national wide hit, with fans visiting the ParanormalMovie.com website and demanded the film be brought to their city. After more than 1 million such requests, Paramount expanded the film nationally where it has been playing to packed theaters ever since.
“What is truly amazing about PARANORMAL ACTIVITY is the depth of commitment from fans who demanded to see it,” said Paramount Pictures Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brad Grey. “Adam Goodman, our head of production, believed in the film and championed it from the very first screening. This box-office milestone is also a testament to Oren Peli’s considerable talents as a filmmaker. All of us at Paramount are proud to have been involved with his revolutionary project.”
In PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, after a young, middle class couple moves into what seems like a typical suburban “starter” tract house, they become increasingly disturbed by a presence that may or may not be demonic, but is certainly most active in the middle of the night.
Especially when they sleep. Or try to.
Directed, written and produced by Oren Peli, the innovative thriller stars Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat. The film was produced by Jason Blum. Steven Schneider served as executive producer.
Follow PARANORMAL ACTIVITY on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/TweetYourScream, where you can find fan reactions, press reviews and theater information.
ABOUT PARAMOUNT PICTURES CORPORATION
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company’s labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group, and Worldwide Television Distribution.
via: /Film