If you are a die-hard fan of the horror movie genre, you are undoubtedly familiar with the phenomenon that was The Blair Witch Project, a film that created a significant stir in the global film industry despite its low production cost. This film brought back substantial profits and left a lasting impact on the horror genre.
As for the current version, the 2016 film has yet to achieve the success that many anticipated. Although it did generate some buzz leading up to its release, particularly during Comic-Con, where fans learned that a teaser titled The Woods was actually a promotional tool for Blair Witch.
In contrast to its predecessor, Blair Witch 2016 had a production budget of around $5 million, which is relatively modest compared to today’s blockbuster films. However, information about the movie has been quite limited, and fans had to wait until the recent Comic-Con to learn that the teaser was, in fact, a marketing strategy for Blair Witch.
According to reports, in its opening week, Blair Witch “only” managed to bring in approximately $15 million in ticket sales. The film received about 36% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 46% on Metacritic.
The modest box office earnings did not help Blair Witch climb higher on the charts, but it still provided a sense of accomplishment for the filmmakers. As mentioned earlier, with a production budget of just $5 million and minimal marketing expenses, the film managed to earn $15 million in its opening week, which is quite a success.
Conversely, just a week prior, the horror film Don’t Breathe, with a production budget of $10 million, earned $26.1 million in its opening weekend, despite mixed reviews from critics. This situation has prompted film studios to reconsider whether they should invest in blockbuster films that carry high risks or focus on lower-budget horror projects that can yield substantial returns at the box office.
Regardless of the current state, congratulations are in order for Blair Witch, which has successfully re-entered the spotlight after 17 years of absence. Although it may not surpass the original, it still represents a significant achievement in its own right.
