'Nosferatu' Claws Its Way to New Global Box Office Milestone Despite Digital Release

‘Nosferatu’ Thrives at the Box Office Amid Horror Genre Struggles

While 2025’s horror slate has seen underwhelming performances from major releases like Wolf Man and Presence, Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu continues its impressive box office run. Despite its PVOD (Premium Video on Demand) debut, the film’s theatrical momentum remains strong, cementing its place as one of the year’s biggest horror hits.

After more than a month in theaters, Nosferatu has earned a remarkable $166 million worldwide, with $93 million from domestic audiences and $73 million internationally. Produced on a $50 million budget, the film’s financial success places it as the third-highest-grossing horror movie of 2024, surpassing expectations for a film with arthouse sensibilities.

Nosferatu’s Success vs. Struggling Horror Competitors

The film’s performance further highlights a shift in horror audiences’ preferences, with arthouse horror outperforming mainstream studio-backed productions. In contrast, Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man has struggled to surpass $15 million, while Presence flopped with just $3 million in its opening weekend.

For director Robert Eggers, the success of Nosferatu is a career-defining moment. Despite earning critical acclaim for films like The Witch (2015) and The Lighthouse (2019), his previous project, The Northman (2022), failed commercially. Nosferatu’s breakout success not only solidifies Eggers’ status in the industry but also paves the way for his upcoming projects, including a sequel to Labyrinth and a period horror film titled Werwulf.

Four Oscar Nominations for Nosferatu

Beyond its box office triumph, Nosferatu has been widely praised by critics and audiences alike, currently holding an 85% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film’s technical mastery and haunting visuals have earned it four Academy Award nominations in Best Cinematography, Costume Design, Makeup, and Production Design.

With both critical recognition and commercial success, Nosferatu has cemented itself as a standout horror film of the year, proving that audiences still appreciate bold, atmospheric storytelling in the genre. As horror continues to evolve, Nosferatu’s success may shape the future of the genre, encouraging studios to take bigger artistic risks rather than relying on traditional horror formulas.