The first Terrifier grossed just $416K at the box office. Nobody knew what to expect, and it was only through positive word of mouth that the film started to build up a fanbase. The second film managed to gross $15 million, and the third, which is currently in theaters, has already taken in $28 million.
Terrifier is a true grassroots franchise, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. The third installment managed to overtake Joker: Folie à Deux, another story about a killer clown, at the box office, which is one of the most unexpected Davis vs. Goliath triumphs in recent Hollywood history.
Damien Leone promises 'crazy things' in Terrifier 4
The success of Terrifier 3 has naturally lead to buzz surrounding a fourth installment. Damien Leone, the writer/director of the franchise, has not beaten around the bush when it comes to promotion. He assured fans that Terrifier 4 is coming, and there may even be a fifth film depending on how much story he plans to tell.
Leone revealed this exciting game plan during an interview with Variety. He assured fans that another film is coming, but clarified that he doesn't want to extend it beyond its narrative limits. Think of horror franchises like Halloween or Friday the 13th, which have double digit sequels at this point in time. This is not going to happen on Leon's watch:
"Some really, really crazy things will happen in the next one... I can’t see it going further than one or two more films, but only time will tell. "
The director has left the door open for a fifth film
The director also noted that he already has a story for Terrifier 4 in his mind, and it will be the most experimental in the franchise thus far. He avoided giving away too many details regarding the story, and merely told the outlet that it will have a very memorable conclusion.
"For now, all I can say with certainty is that I know how it ends, and it will be epic," Leone promised. Given how much fun the Terrifier films have been thus far (depending on your brand of fun, of course), we definitely wouldn't be made at a fifth film getting made as well!
Have you seen the latest installment in the Terrifier franchise? What did you think?