Sinister (2012)
| Theatrical Performance | ||
| Domestic Box Office | $48,086,903 | Details |
| International Box Office | $39,640,904 | Details |
| Worldwide Box Office | $87,727,807 | |
| Domestic Physical Disc Sales | ||
| DVD Sales (estimated) | $11,750,441 | |
| Blu-ray Sales (estimated) | $3,157,272 | |
| Total | $14,907,713 | |
| OpusData ID: 169350100 More info... | ||
| Further financial details... | ||
Synopsis
Ten years ago, true crime writer Ellison Oswald made his reputation with a best-selling account of a notorious murder. Now, desperate ot replicate the critical and financial success of his first book, he moves his loyal wife, over-anxious son and artistic daughter into a home where a suburban family was brutally executed and a child disappeared, hoping to find inspiration in the crime scene. Instead he discovers a mysterious box containing Super 8 footage of the murders - plus several more equally gruesome homicides. As he watches the carnage unfold on film, Ellison realizes he has stumbled onto evidence of a decades-long killing spree. But rather than going to the local authorities, he keeps the movies to himself, hoping to publish another acclaimed book based on the crimes. As Ellison starts to piece together the mind-bending truth about the crimes and the murderer, unseen intruders and inexplicable goings-on disrupt his once peaceful household. Slowly, he begins to realize that his ambition has placed him and his family in the path of an ancient and bloodthirsty adversary who has marked them as his next victims.
Metrics
| Opening Weekend: | $18,007,634 (37.4% of total gross) |
| Legs: | 2.67 (domestic box office/biggest weekend) |
| Domestic Share: | 54.8% (domestic box office/worldwide) |
| Production Budget: | $3,000,000 (worldwide box office is 29.2 times production budget) |
| Theater counts: | 2,527 opening theaters/2,542 max. theaters, 4.9 weeks average run per theater |
| Infl. Adj. Dom. BO | $72,250,384 |
Movie Details
| Domestic Releases: | October 12th, 2012 (Wide) by Lionsgate |
| International Releases: | October 5th, 2012 (Wide) (United Kingdom)
October 10th, 2012 (Wide) (Philippines) October 11th, 2012 (Wide) (Singapore) October 12th, 2012 (Wide) (Brazil) October 12th, 2012 (Wide) (Mexico) ... Show all releases |
| Video Release: | February 19th, 2013 by Summit Home Video |
| MPA Rating: | R for disturbing violent images and some terror. (Rating bulletin 2210, 2/15/2012) |
| Running Time: | 110 minutes |
| Franchise: | Sinister |
| Cast, crew, or production detail: | Found Footage, Prologue |
| Plot point: | Anxiety and Phobias, Comeback, Demons, Dysfunctional Family, Possessed, Scary Kids, Surprise Twist, Writing and Writers |
| Social setting: | Supernatural |
| Subgenre: | Supernatural Horror |
| Source: | Original Screenplay |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Production Method: | Live Action |
| Creative Type: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Production/Financing Companies: | Blumhouse, Automatik, Summit Entertainment, Alliance Films, IM Global |
| Production Countries: | United States |
| Languages: | English |
Weekend Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 12, 2012 | 3 | $18,007,634 | 2,527 | $7,126 | $18,007,634 | 1 | |
| Oct 19, 2012 | 6 | $8,815,475 | -51% | 2,542 | $3,468 | $31,735,643 | 2 |
| Oct 26, 2012 | 9 | $4,996,099 | -43% | 2,347 | $2,129 | $39,441,054 | 3 |
| Nov 2, 2012 | 12 | $2,734,446 | -45% | 1,882 | $1,453 | $44,276,820 | 4 |
| Nov 9, 2012 | 12 | $1,524,448 | -44% | 1,554 | $981 | $46,578,686 | 5 |
| Nov 16, 2012 | 16 | $456,027 | -70% | 789 | $578 | $47,451,277 | 6 |
| Nov 23, 2012 | 32 | $91,621 | -80% | 127 | $721 | $47,705,703 | 7 |
| Nov 30, 2012 | 45 | $40,556 | -56% | 88 | $461 | $47,769,883 | 8 |
| Dec 7, 2012 | 45 | $36,564 | -10% | 214 | $171 | $47,823,854 | 9 |
| Dec 14, 2012 | 29 | $77,378 | +112% | 184 | $421 | $47,917,444 | 10 |
| Dec 21, 2012 | 42 | $28,154 | -64% | 82 | $343 | $47,988,003 | 11 |
| Dec 28, 2012 | 40 | $40,156 | +43% | 82 | $490 | $48,056,940 | 12 |
Daily Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | %YD | %LW | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 11, 2012 | P | $930,000 | 0 | $930,000 | ||||
| Oct 12, 2012 | 1 | $7,416,439 | 2,527 | $2,935 | $7,416,439 | 1 | ||
| Oct 13, 2012 | 4 | $6,852,570 | -8% | 2,527 | $2,712 | $14,269,009 | 2 | |
| Oct 14, 2012 | 4 | $3,738,625 | -45% | 2,527 | $1,479 | $18,007,634 | 3 | |
| Oct 15, 2012 | 3 | $1,306,146 | -65% | 2,527 | $517 | $19,313,780 | 4 | |
| Oct 16, 2012 | 3 | $1,400,726 | +7% | 2,527 | $554 | $20,714,506 | 5 | |
| Oct 17, 2012 | 3 | $1,084,331 | -23% | 2,527 | $429 | $21,798,837 | 6 | |
| Oct 18, 2012 | 3 | $1,121,331 | +3% | 2,527 | $444 | $22,920,168 | 7 | |
| Oct 19, 2012 | 6 | $2,992,221 | +167% | -60% | 2,542 | $1,177 | $25,912,389 | 8 |
| Oct 20, 2012 | 6 | $3,816,637 | +28% | -44% | 2,542 | $1,501 | $29,729,026 | 9 |
| Oct 21, 2012 | 7 | $2,006,617 | -47% | -46% | 2,542 | $789 | $31,735,643 | 10 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | 5 | $655,734 | -67% | -50% | 2,542 | $258 | $32,391,377 | 11 |
| Oct 23, 2012 | 5 | $790,082 | +20% | -44% | 2,542 | $311 | $33,181,459 | 12 |
| Oct 24, 2012 | 5 | $602,186 | -24% | -44% | 2,542 | $237 | $33,783,645 | 13 |
| Oct 25, 2012 | 4 | $661,310 | +10% | -41% | 2,542 | $260 | $34,444,955 | 14 |
| Oct 26, 2012 | 7 | $1,739,672 | +163% | -42% | 2,347 | $741 | $36,184,627 | 15 |
| Oct 27, 2012 | 9 | $2,131,159 | +23% | -44% | 2,347 | $908 | $38,315,786 | 16 |
| Oct 28, 2012 | 9 | $1,125,268 | -47% | -44% | 2,347 | $479 | $39,441,054 | 17 |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 7 | $345,975 | -69% | -47% | 2,347 | $147 | $39,787,029 | 18 |
| Oct 30, 2012 | 7 | $497,254 | +44% | -37% | 2,347 | $212 | $40,284,283 | 19 |
| Oct 31, 2012 | 3 | $832,700 | +67% | +38% | 2,347 | $355 | $41,116,983 | 20 |
| Nov 1, 2012 | 9 | $425,391 | -49% | -36% | 2,347 | $181 | $41,542,374 | 21 |
| Nov 2, 2012 | 12 | $908,851 | +114% | -48% | 1,882 | $483 | $42,451,225 | 22 |
| Nov 3, 2012 | 12 | $1,261,991 | +39% | -41% | 1,882 | $671 | $43,713,216 | 23 |
| Nov 4, 2012 | 13 | $563,604 | -55% | -50% | 1,882 | $299 | $44,276,820 | 24 |
| Nov 5, 2012 | 12 | $226,133 | -60% | -35% | 1,882 | $120 | $44,502,953 | 25 |
| Nov 6, 2012 | 13 | $214,341 | -5% | -57% | 1,882 | $114 | $44,717,294 | 26 |
| Nov 7, 2012 | 12 | $157,840 | -26% | -81% | 1,882 | $84 | $44,875,134 | 27 |
| Nov 8, 2012 | 13 | $179,104 | +13% | -58% | 1,882 | $95 | $45,054,238 | 28 |
| Nov 9, 2012 | 12 | $478,492 | +167% | -47% | 1,554 | $308 | $45,532,730 | 29 |
| Nov 10, 2012 | 12 | $666,104 | +39% | -47% | 1,554 | $429 | $46,198,834 | 30 |
| Nov 11, 2012 | 13 | $379,852 | -43% | -33% | 1,554 | $244 | $46,578,686 | 31 |
| Nov 12, 2012 | 14 | $159,143 | -58% | -30% | 1,554 | $102 | $46,737,829 | 32 |
| Nov 13, 2012 | 13 | $105,456 | -34% | -51% | 1,554 | $68 | $46,843,285 | 33 |
| Nov 14, 2012 | 14 | $88,587 | -16% | -44% | 1,554 | $57 | $46,931,872 | 34 |
| Nov 15, 2012 | 15 | $63,378 | -28% | -65% | 1,554 | $41 | $46,995,250 | 35 |
| Nov 16, 2012 | - | $146,661 | +131% | -69% | 789 | $186 | $47,141,911 | 36 |
| Nov 17, 2012 | - | $196,881 | +34% | -70% | 789 | $250 | $47,338,792 | 37 |
| Nov 18, 2012 | - | $112,485 | -43% | -70% | 789 | $143 | $47,451,277 | 38 |
| Nov 19, 2012 | - | $55,310 | -51% | -65% | 789 | $70 | $47,506,587 | 39 |
| Nov 20, 2012 | - | $72,659 | +31% | -31% | 789 | $92 | $47,579,246 | 40 |
| Nov 21, 2012 | - | $18,058 | -75% | -80% | 789 | $23 | $47,597,304 | 41 |
| Nov 22, 2012 | - | $16,778 | -7% | -74% | 789 | $21 | $47,614,082 | 42 |
| Nov 23, 2012 | - | $36,832 | +120% | -75% | 127 | $290 | $47,650,914 | 43 |
| Nov 24, 2012 | - | $40,210 | +9% | -80% | 127 | $317 | $47,691,124 | 44 |
| Nov 25, 2012 | - | $14,579 | -64% | -87% | 127 | $115 | $47,705,703 | 45 |
| Nov 26, 2012 | - | $5,798 | -60% | -90% | 127 | $46 | $47,711,501 | 46 |
| Nov 27, 2012 | - | $6,368 | +10% | -91% | 127 | $50 | $47,717,869 | 47 |
| Nov 28, 2012 | - | $5,651 | -11% | -69% | 127 | $44 | $47,723,520 | 48 |
| Nov 29, 2012 | - | $5,807 | +3% | -65% | 127 | $46 | $47,729,327 | 49 |
| Nov 30, 2012 | - | $12,236 | +111% | -67% | 88 | $139 | $47,741,563 | 50 |
| Dec 1, 2012 | - | $18,680 | +53% | -54% | 88 | $212 | $47,760,243 | 51 |
| Dec 2, 2012 | - | $9,640 | -48% | -34% | 88 | $110 | $47,769,883 | 52 |
| Dec 3, 2012 | - | $3,968 | -59% | -32% | 88 | $45 | $47,773,851 | 53 |
| Dec 4, 2012 | - | $4,818 | +21% | -24% | 88 | $55 | $47,778,669 | 54 |
| Dec 5, 2012 | - | $4,235 | -12% | -25% | 88 | $48 | $47,782,904 | 55 |
| Dec 6, 2012 | - | $4,386 | +4% | -24% | 88 | $50 | $47,787,290 | 56 |
| Dec 7, 2012 | - | $11,192 | +155% | -9% | 214 | $52 | $47,798,482 | 57 |
| Dec 8, 2012 | - | $15,466 | +38% | -17% | 214 | $72 | $47,813,948 | 58 |
| Dec 9, 2012 | - | $9,906 | -36% | +3% | 214 | $46 | $47,823,854 | 59 |
| Dec 10, 2012 | - | $3,721 | -62% | -6% | 214 | $17 | $47,827,575 | 60 |
| Dec 11, 2012 | - | $4,773 | +28% | -1% | 214 | $22 | $47,832,348 | 61 |
| Dec 12, 2012 | - | $3,980 | -17% | -6% | 214 | $19 | $47,836,328 | 62 |
| Dec 13, 2012 | - | $3,738 | -6% | -15% | 214 | $17 | $47,840,066 | 63 |
| Dec 14, 2012 | - | $21,011 | +462% | +88% | 184 | $114 | $47,861,077 | 64 |
| Dec 15, 2012 | - | $34,161 | +63% | +121% | 184 | $186 | $47,895,238 | 65 |
| Dec 16, 2012 | - | $22,206 | -35% | +124% | 184 | $121 | $47,917,444 | 66 |
| Dec 17, 2012 | - | $9,925 | -55% | +167% | 184 | $54 | $47,927,369 | 67 |
| Dec 18, 2012 | - | $10,797 | +9% | +126% | 184 | $59 | $47,938,166 | 68 |
| Dec 19, 2012 | - | $10,625 | -2% | +167% | 184 | $58 | $47,948,791 | 69 |
| Dec 20, 2012 | - | $11,058 | +4% | +196% | 184 | $60 | $47,959,849 | 70 |
| Dec 21, 2012 | - | $7,740 | -30% | -63% | 82 | $94 | $47,967,589 | 71 |
| Dec 22, 2012 | - | $11,473 | +48% | -66% | 82 | $140 | $47,979,062 | 72 |
| Dec 23, 2012 | - | $8,941 | -22% | -60% | 82 | $109 | $47,988,003 | 73 |
| Dec 24, 2012 | - | $2,426 | -73% | -76% | 82 | $30 | $47,990,429 | 74 |
| Dec 25, 2012 | - | $7,055 | +191% | -35% | 82 | $86 | $47,997,484 | 75 |
| Dec 26, 2012 | - | $9,159 | +30% | -14% | 82 | $112 | $48,006,643 | 76 |
| Dec 27, 2012 | - | $10,141 | +11% | -8% | 82 | $124 | $48,016,784 | 77 |
| Dec 28, 2012 | - | $12,956 | +28% | +67% | 82 | $158 | $48,029,740 | 78 |
| Dec 29, 2012 | - | $14,804 | +14% | +29% | 82 | $181 | $48,044,544 | 79 |
| Dec 30, 2012 | - | $12,396 | -16% | +39% | 82 | $151 | $48,056,940 | 80 |
| Dec 31, 2012 | - | $4,616 | -63% | +90% | 82 | $56 | $48,061,556 | 81 |
| Jan 1, 2013 | - | $10,651 | +131% | +51% | 82 | $130 | $48,072,207 | 82 |
| Jan 2, 2013 | - | $7,650 | -28% | -16% | 82 | $93 | $48,079,857 | 83 |
| Jan 3, 2013 | - | $7,046 | -8% | -31% | 82 | $86 | $48,086,903 | 84 |
Weekly Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 12, 2012 | 3 | $22,920,168 | 2,527 | $9,070 | $22,920,168 | 1 | |
| Oct 19, 2012 | 6 | $11,524,787 | -50% | 2,542 | $4,534 | $34,444,955 | 2 |
| Oct 26, 2012 | 7 | $7,097,419 | -38% | 2,347 | $3,024 | $41,542,374 | 3 |
| Nov 2, 2012 | 12 | $3,511,864 | -51% | 1,882 | $1,866 | $45,054,238 | 4 |
| Nov 9, 2012 | 12 | $1,941,012 | -45% | 1,554 | $1,249 | $46,995,250 | 5 |
| Nov 16, 2012 | 21 | $618,832 | -68% | 789 | $784 | $47,614,082 | 6 |
| Nov 23, 2012 | 32 | $115,245 | -81% | 127 | $907 | $47,729,327 | 7 |
| Nov 30, 2012 | 44 | $57,963 | -50% | 88 | $659 | $47,787,290 | 8 |
| Dec 7, 2012 | 44 | $52,776 | -9% | 214 | $247 | $47,840,066 | 9 |
| Dec 14, 2012 | 31 | $119,783 | +127% | 184 | $651 | $47,959,849 | 10 |
| Dec 21, 2012 | 43 | $56,935 | -52% | 82 | $694 | $48,016,784 | 11 |
| Dec 28, 2012 | 40 | $70,119 | +23% | 82 | $855 | $48,086,903 | 12 |
Top International Territories
Box Office Summary Per Territory
| Territory | Release Date |
Opening Weekend |
Opening Weekend Screens/Theaters |
Maximum Screens/Theaters |
Theatrical Engagements |
Total Box Office |
Report Date |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 10/25/2012 | $179,672 | 43 | 46 | 229 | $839,290 | 12/30/2018 | |||
| Austria | 11/23/2012 | $82,952 | 31 | 32 | 161 | $381,831 | 12/14/2015 | |||
| Belgium | 11/7/2012 | $104,027 | 20 | 20 | 96 | $406,267 | 12/13/2015 | |||
| Bolivia | 12/20/2012 | $15,206 | 2 | 7 | 15 | $60,291 | 12/30/2018 | |||
| Brazil | 10/12/2012 | $265,968 | 170 | 177 | 492 | $2,225,498 | 12/14/2015 | |||
| Chile | 11/1/2012 | $132,857 | 35 | 35 | 166 | $491,729 | 12/30/2018 | |||
| Colombia | 11/9/2012 | $115,491 | 53 | 53 | 190 | $479,356 | 12/30/2018 | |||
| Croatia | 11/22/2012 | $15,098 | 9 | 9 | 36 | $42,752 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| Czech Republic | 11/1/2012 | $56,928 | 39 | 39 | 154 | $254,064 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| Denmark | 11/1/2012 | $74,362 | 27 | 27 | 59 | $231,646 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Ecuador | 12/7/2012 | $33,631 | 13 | 13 | 26 | $97,533 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| Egypt | 12/19/2012 | $19,670 | 5 | 5 | 38 | $98,326 | 12/30/2018 | |||
| Estonia | 10/26/2012 | $14,148 | 7 | 7 | 17 | $42,922 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Finland | 10/26/2012 | $0 | 0 | 14 | 55 | $207,539 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| France | 11/7/2012 | $1,489,681 | 162 | 162 | 439 | $3,289,852 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Germany | 11/22/2012 | $287,099 | 94 | 94 | 303 | $1,237,963 | 12/13/2015 | |||
| Hong Kong | 11/22/2012 | $42,239 | 13 | 13 | 13 | $42,826 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Hungary | 12/6/2012 | $21,516 | 16 | 16 | 64 | $67,771 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| Iceland | 1/4/2013 | $11,646 | 6 | 6 | 12 | $29,870 | 12/30/2018 | |||
| Italy | 3/14/2013 | $392,805 | 142 | 142 | 242 | $652,810 | 12/14/2015 | |||
| Latvia | 11/2/2012 | $15,252 | 5 | 5 | 18 | $59,503 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| Lithuania | 10/26/2012 | $20,245 | 11 | 12 | 47 | $90,386 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Malaysia | 10/18/2012 | $370,746 | 65 | 65 | 238 | $675,854 | 4/4/2026 | |||
| Mexico | 10/12/2012 | $493,892 | 326 | 326 | 1,231 | $1,815,025 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Netherlands | 11/15/2012 | $219,200 | 45 | 45 | 150 | $794,647 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Norway | 10/31/2012 | $106,732 | 42 | 42 | 139 | $480,334 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Peru | 10/18/2012 | $0 | 0 | 48 | 66 | $379,985 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| Philippines | 10/10/2012 | $227,218 | 55 | 55 | 81 | $347,046 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| Poland | 11/23/2012 | $65,886 | 43 | 43 | 109 | $178,095 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| Portugal | 11/8/2012 | $27,904 | 10 | 10 | 32 | $79,629 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Singapore | 10/11/2012 | $246,900 | 25 | 25 | 69 | $613,414 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Slovakia | 11/1/2012 | $41,784 | 26 | 26 | 74 | $136,248 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| South Korea | 11/15/2012 | $183,958 | 183 | 183 | 183 | $229,837 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Spain | 10/31/2012 | $811,706 | 212 | 243 | 968 | $2,539,312 | 12/13/2015 | |||
| Sweden | 11/30/2012 | $0 | 0 | 12 | 27 | $2,434,275 | 12/13/2015 | |||
| Taiwan | 11/30/2012 | $57,157 | 19 | 19 | 48 | $186,774 | 12/13/2015 | |||
| Thailand | 10/18/2012 | $26,692 | 40 | 44 | 115 | $323,184 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Turkey | 3/29/2013 | $0 | 0 | 50 | 99 | $178,483 | 12/30/2018 | |||
| United Arab Emirates | 11/8/2012 | $152,768 | 25 | 25 | 25 | $196,539 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| United Kingdom | 10/5/2012 | $2,315,820 | 370 | 378 | 1,886 | $10,578,217 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Uruguay | 12/7/2012 | $9,839 | 3 | 3 | 32 | $102,728 | 12/30/2018 | |||
| Venezuela | 12/7/2012 | $0 | 0 | 61,121 | 94,025 | $458,175 | 12/13/2015 | |||
| Rest of World | $5,583,078 | |||||||||
| International Total | $39,640,904 | 4/4/2026 | ||||||||
Note: Territories vary in whether they report screens or theaters. Full details on international box office data are available via our OpusData service.
Leading
| Ethan Hawke | Ellison Oswalt |
Supporting
| Juliet Rylance | Tracy | |
| Fred Dalton Thompson | Sheriff | |
| James Ransone | Deputy | |
| Michael Hall D'Addario | Trevor | |
| Clare Foley | Ashley | |
| Rob Riley | E.M.T |
Cameo
| Tavis Smiley | Anchor |
Supporting
| Janet Zappala | Reporter | |
| Victoria Leigh | Stephanie | |
| Cameron Ocasio | BBQ Boy | |
| Ethan Haberfield | Pool Party Boy | |
| Danielle Kotch | Lawn Work Girl | |
| Blake Mizrahi | Sleepy Time Boy | |
| Nick King | Bughuul / Mr. Boogie |
Production and Technical Credits
| Scott Derrickson | Director | |
| Scott Derrickson | Screenwriter | |
| C. Robert Cargill | Screenwriter | |
| Jason Blum | Producer | |
| Brian Kavanaugh-Jones | Producer | |
| Scott Derrickson | Executive Producer | |
| Charles Layton | Executive Producer | |
| Christopher Norr | Director of Photography | |
| David Brisbin | Production Designer | |
| Frederic Thoraval | Editor | |
| Ruth Salen | Casting | |
| Christopher Young | Composer | |
| Kaylene Carlson | Unit Production Manager | |
| Abby O'Sullivan | Costume Designer | |
| Gerard DiNardi | First Assistant Director | |
| Sheila Jaffe | Casting | |
| Nicholas E. Bell | Second Assistant Director | |
| Jessica Hall | Associate Producer | |
| Bailey Conway | Associate Producer | |
| Jeanette Volturno-Brill | Associate Producer | |
| Rick A. Osako | Associate Producer | |
| Gerard DiNardi | Line Producer | |
| Rob King | Los Angeles Stunt Coordinator | |
| Trampas Thompson | New York Stunt Coordinator |
Cast and crew with above-the-line roles are marked in bold. The line marks the division between above-the-line and below-the-line roles.
Full financial estimates for this film, including domestic and international box office, video sales, video rentals, TV and ancillary revenue are available through our research services. For more information, please contact us at research@the-numbers.com.
Synopsis
Ten years ago, true crime writer Ellison Oswald made his reputation with a best-selling account of a notorious murder. Now, desperate ot replicate the critical and financial success of his first book, he moves his loyal wife, over-anxious son and artistic daughter into a home where a suburban family was brutally executed and a child disappeared, hoping to find inspiration in the crime scene. Instead he discovers a mysterious box containing Super 8 footage of the murders - plus several more equally gruesome homicides. As he watches the carnage unfold on film, Ellison realizes he has stumbled onto evidence of a decades-long killing spree. But rather than going to the local authorities, he keeps the movies to himself, hoping to publish another acclaimed book based on the crimes. As Ellison starts to piece together the mind-bending truth about the crimes and the murderer, unseen intruders and inexplicable goings-on disrupt his once peaceful household. Slowly, he begins to realize that his ambition has placed him and his family in the path of an ancient and bloodthirsty adversary who has marked them as his next victims.
Metrics
| Opening Weekend: | $18,007,634 (37.4% of total gross) |
| Legs: | 2.67 (domestic box office/biggest weekend) |
| Domestic Share: | 54.8% (domestic box office/worldwide) |
| Production Budget: | $3,000,000 (worldwide box office is 29.2 times production budget) |
| Theater counts: | 2,527 opening theaters/2,542 max. theaters, 4.9 weeks average run per theater |
| Infl. Adj. Dom. BO | $72,250,384 |
Movie Details
| Domestic Releases: | October 12th, 2012 (Wide) by Lionsgate |
| International Releases: | October 5th, 2012 (Wide) (United Kingdom)
October 10th, 2012 (Wide) (Philippines) October 11th, 2012 (Wide) (Singapore) October 12th, 2012 (Wide) (Brazil) October 12th, 2012 (Wide) (Mexico) ... Show all releases |
| Video Release: | February 19th, 2013 by Summit Home Video |
| MPA Rating: | R for disturbing violent images and some terror. (Rating bulletin 2210, 2/15/2012) |
| Running Time: | 110 minutes |
| Franchise: | Sinister |
| Cast, crew, or production detail: | Found Footage, Prologue |
| Plot point: | Anxiety and Phobias, Comeback, Demons, Dysfunctional Family, Possessed, Scary Kids, Surprise Twist, Writing and Writers |
| Social setting: | Supernatural |
| Subgenre: | Supernatural Horror |
| Source: | Original Screenplay |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Production Method: | Live Action |
| Creative Type: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Production/Financing Companies: | Blumhouse, Automatik, Summit Entertainment, Alliance Films, IM Global |
| Production Countries: | United States |
| Languages: | English |
Weekend Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 12, 2012 | 3 | $18,007,634 | 2,527 | $7,126 | $18,007,634 | 1 | |
| Oct 19, 2012 | 6 | $8,815,475 | -51% | 2,542 | $3,468 | $31,735,643 | 2 |
| Oct 26, 2012 | 9 | $4,996,099 | -43% | 2,347 | $2,129 | $39,441,054 | 3 |
| Nov 2, 2012 | 12 | $2,734,446 | -45% | 1,882 | $1,453 | $44,276,820 | 4 |
| Nov 9, 2012 | 12 | $1,524,448 | -44% | 1,554 | $981 | $46,578,686 | 5 |
| Nov 16, 2012 | 16 | $456,027 | -70% | 789 | $578 | $47,451,277 | 6 |
| Nov 23, 2012 | 32 | $91,621 | -80% | 127 | $721 | $47,705,703 | 7 |
| Nov 30, 2012 | 45 | $40,556 | -56% | 88 | $461 | $47,769,883 | 8 |
| Dec 7, 2012 | 45 | $36,564 | -10% | 214 | $171 | $47,823,854 | 9 |
| Dec 14, 2012 | 29 | $77,378 | +112% | 184 | $421 | $47,917,444 | 10 |
| Dec 21, 2012 | 42 | $28,154 | -64% | 82 | $343 | $47,988,003 | 11 |
| Dec 28, 2012 | 40 | $40,156 | +43% | 82 | $490 | $48,056,940 | 12 |
Daily Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | %YD | %LW | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 11, 2012 | P | $930,000 | 0 | $930,000 | ||||
| Oct 12, 2012 | 1 | $7,416,439 | 2,527 | $2,935 | $7,416,439 | 1 | ||
| Oct 13, 2012 | 4 | $6,852,570 | -8% | 2,527 | $2,712 | $14,269,009 | 2 | |
| Oct 14, 2012 | 4 | $3,738,625 | -45% | 2,527 | $1,479 | $18,007,634 | 3 | |
| Oct 15, 2012 | 3 | $1,306,146 | -65% | 2,527 | $517 | $19,313,780 | 4 | |
| Oct 16, 2012 | 3 | $1,400,726 | +7% | 2,527 | $554 | $20,714,506 | 5 | |
| Oct 17, 2012 | 3 | $1,084,331 | -23% | 2,527 | $429 | $21,798,837 | 6 | |
| Oct 18, 2012 | 3 | $1,121,331 | +3% | 2,527 | $444 | $22,920,168 | 7 | |
| Oct 19, 2012 | 6 | $2,992,221 | +167% | -60% | 2,542 | $1,177 | $25,912,389 | 8 |
| Oct 20, 2012 | 6 | $3,816,637 | +28% | -44% | 2,542 | $1,501 | $29,729,026 | 9 |
| Oct 21, 2012 | 7 | $2,006,617 | -47% | -46% | 2,542 | $789 | $31,735,643 | 10 |
| Oct 22, 2012 | 5 | $655,734 | -67% | -50% | 2,542 | $258 | $32,391,377 | 11 |
| Oct 23, 2012 | 5 | $790,082 | +20% | -44% | 2,542 | $311 | $33,181,459 | 12 |
| Oct 24, 2012 | 5 | $602,186 | -24% | -44% | 2,542 | $237 | $33,783,645 | 13 |
| Oct 25, 2012 | 4 | $661,310 | +10% | -41% | 2,542 | $260 | $34,444,955 | 14 |
| Oct 26, 2012 | 7 | $1,739,672 | +163% | -42% | 2,347 | $741 | $36,184,627 | 15 |
| Oct 27, 2012 | 9 | $2,131,159 | +23% | -44% | 2,347 | $908 | $38,315,786 | 16 |
| Oct 28, 2012 | 9 | $1,125,268 | -47% | -44% | 2,347 | $479 | $39,441,054 | 17 |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 7 | $345,975 | -69% | -47% | 2,347 | $147 | $39,787,029 | 18 |
| Oct 30, 2012 | 7 | $497,254 | +44% | -37% | 2,347 | $212 | $40,284,283 | 19 |
| Oct 31, 2012 | 3 | $832,700 | +67% | +38% | 2,347 | $355 | $41,116,983 | 20 |
| Nov 1, 2012 | 9 | $425,391 | -49% | -36% | 2,347 | $181 | $41,542,374 | 21 |
| Nov 2, 2012 | 12 | $908,851 | +114% | -48% | 1,882 | $483 | $42,451,225 | 22 |
| Nov 3, 2012 | 12 | $1,261,991 | +39% | -41% | 1,882 | $671 | $43,713,216 | 23 |
| Nov 4, 2012 | 13 | $563,604 | -55% | -50% | 1,882 | $299 | $44,276,820 | 24 |
| Nov 5, 2012 | 12 | $226,133 | -60% | -35% | 1,882 | $120 | $44,502,953 | 25 |
| Nov 6, 2012 | 13 | $214,341 | -5% | -57% | 1,882 | $114 | $44,717,294 | 26 |
| Nov 7, 2012 | 12 | $157,840 | -26% | -81% | 1,882 | $84 | $44,875,134 | 27 |
| Nov 8, 2012 | 13 | $179,104 | +13% | -58% | 1,882 | $95 | $45,054,238 | 28 |
| Nov 9, 2012 | 12 | $478,492 | +167% | -47% | 1,554 | $308 | $45,532,730 | 29 |
| Nov 10, 2012 | 12 | $666,104 | +39% | -47% | 1,554 | $429 | $46,198,834 | 30 |
| Nov 11, 2012 | 13 | $379,852 | -43% | -33% | 1,554 | $244 | $46,578,686 | 31 |
| Nov 12, 2012 | 14 | $159,143 | -58% | -30% | 1,554 | $102 | $46,737,829 | 32 |
| Nov 13, 2012 | 13 | $105,456 | -34% | -51% | 1,554 | $68 | $46,843,285 | 33 |
| Nov 14, 2012 | 14 | $88,587 | -16% | -44% | 1,554 | $57 | $46,931,872 | 34 |
| Nov 15, 2012 | 15 | $63,378 | -28% | -65% | 1,554 | $41 | $46,995,250 | 35 |
| Nov 16, 2012 | - | $146,661 | +131% | -69% | 789 | $186 | $47,141,911 | 36 |
| Nov 17, 2012 | - | $196,881 | +34% | -70% | 789 | $250 | $47,338,792 | 37 |
| Nov 18, 2012 | - | $112,485 | -43% | -70% | 789 | $143 | $47,451,277 | 38 |
| Nov 19, 2012 | - | $55,310 | -51% | -65% | 789 | $70 | $47,506,587 | 39 |
| Nov 20, 2012 | - | $72,659 | +31% | -31% | 789 | $92 | $47,579,246 | 40 |
| Nov 21, 2012 | - | $18,058 | -75% | -80% | 789 | $23 | $47,597,304 | 41 |
| Nov 22, 2012 | - | $16,778 | -7% | -74% | 789 | $21 | $47,614,082 | 42 |
| Nov 23, 2012 | - | $36,832 | +120% | -75% | 127 | $290 | $47,650,914 | 43 |
| Nov 24, 2012 | - | $40,210 | +9% | -80% | 127 | $317 | $47,691,124 | 44 |
| Nov 25, 2012 | - | $14,579 | -64% | -87% | 127 | $115 | $47,705,703 | 45 |
| Nov 26, 2012 | - | $5,798 | -60% | -90% | 127 | $46 | $47,711,501 | 46 |
| Nov 27, 2012 | - | $6,368 | +10% | -91% | 127 | $50 | $47,717,869 | 47 |
| Nov 28, 2012 | - | $5,651 | -11% | -69% | 127 | $44 | $47,723,520 | 48 |
| Nov 29, 2012 | - | $5,807 | +3% | -65% | 127 | $46 | $47,729,327 | 49 |
| Nov 30, 2012 | - | $12,236 | +111% | -67% | 88 | $139 | $47,741,563 | 50 |
| Dec 1, 2012 | - | $18,680 | +53% | -54% | 88 | $212 | $47,760,243 | 51 |
| Dec 2, 2012 | - | $9,640 | -48% | -34% | 88 | $110 | $47,769,883 | 52 |
| Dec 3, 2012 | - | $3,968 | -59% | -32% | 88 | $45 | $47,773,851 | 53 |
| Dec 4, 2012 | - | $4,818 | +21% | -24% | 88 | $55 | $47,778,669 | 54 |
| Dec 5, 2012 | - | $4,235 | -12% | -25% | 88 | $48 | $47,782,904 | 55 |
| Dec 6, 2012 | - | $4,386 | +4% | -24% | 88 | $50 | $47,787,290 | 56 |
| Dec 7, 2012 | - | $11,192 | +155% | -9% | 214 | $52 | $47,798,482 | 57 |
| Dec 8, 2012 | - | $15,466 | +38% | -17% | 214 | $72 | $47,813,948 | 58 |
| Dec 9, 2012 | - | $9,906 | -36% | +3% | 214 | $46 | $47,823,854 | 59 |
| Dec 10, 2012 | - | $3,721 | -62% | -6% | 214 | $17 | $47,827,575 | 60 |
| Dec 11, 2012 | - | $4,773 | +28% | -1% | 214 | $22 | $47,832,348 | 61 |
| Dec 12, 2012 | - | $3,980 | -17% | -6% | 214 | $19 | $47,836,328 | 62 |
| Dec 13, 2012 | - | $3,738 | -6% | -15% | 214 | $17 | $47,840,066 | 63 |
| Dec 14, 2012 | - | $21,011 | +462% | +88% | 184 | $114 | $47,861,077 | 64 |
| Dec 15, 2012 | - | $34,161 | +63% | +121% | 184 | $186 | $47,895,238 | 65 |
| Dec 16, 2012 | - | $22,206 | -35% | +124% | 184 | $121 | $47,917,444 | 66 |
| Dec 17, 2012 | - | $9,925 | -55% | +167% | 184 | $54 | $47,927,369 | 67 |
| Dec 18, 2012 | - | $10,797 | +9% | +126% | 184 | $59 | $47,938,166 | 68 |
| Dec 19, 2012 | - | $10,625 | -2% | +167% | 184 | $58 | $47,948,791 | 69 |
| Dec 20, 2012 | - | $11,058 | +4% | +196% | 184 | $60 | $47,959,849 | 70 |
| Dec 21, 2012 | - | $7,740 | -30% | -63% | 82 | $94 | $47,967,589 | 71 |
| Dec 22, 2012 | - | $11,473 | +48% | -66% | 82 | $140 | $47,979,062 | 72 |
| Dec 23, 2012 | - | $8,941 | -22% | -60% | 82 | $109 | $47,988,003 | 73 |
| Dec 24, 2012 | - | $2,426 | -73% | -76% | 82 | $30 | $47,990,429 | 74 |
| Dec 25, 2012 | - | $7,055 | +191% | -35% | 82 | $86 | $47,997,484 | 75 |
| Dec 26, 2012 | - | $9,159 | +30% | -14% | 82 | $112 | $48,006,643 | 76 |
| Dec 27, 2012 | - | $10,141 | +11% | -8% | 82 | $124 | $48,016,784 | 77 |
| Dec 28, 2012 | - | $12,956 | +28% | +67% | 82 | $158 | $48,029,740 | 78 |
| Dec 29, 2012 | - | $14,804 | +14% | +29% | 82 | $181 | $48,044,544 | 79 |
| Dec 30, 2012 | - | $12,396 | -16% | +39% | 82 | $151 | $48,056,940 | 80 |
| Dec 31, 2012 | - | $4,616 | -63% | +90% | 82 | $56 | $48,061,556 | 81 |
| Jan 1, 2013 | - | $10,651 | +131% | +51% | 82 | $130 | $48,072,207 | 82 |
| Jan 2, 2013 | - | $7,650 | -28% | -16% | 82 | $93 | $48,079,857 | 83 |
| Jan 3, 2013 | - | $7,046 | -8% | -31% | 82 | $86 | $48,086,903 | 84 |
Weekly Box Office Performance
| Date | Rank | Gross | % Change | Theaters | Per Theater | Total Gross | Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 12, 2012 | 3 | $22,920,168 | 2,527 | $9,070 | $22,920,168 | 1 | |
| Oct 19, 2012 | 6 | $11,524,787 | -50% | 2,542 | $4,534 | $34,444,955 | 2 |
| Oct 26, 2012 | 7 | $7,097,419 | -38% | 2,347 | $3,024 | $41,542,374 | 3 |
| Nov 2, 2012 | 12 | $3,511,864 | -51% | 1,882 | $1,866 | $45,054,238 | 4 |
| Nov 9, 2012 | 12 | $1,941,012 | -45% | 1,554 | $1,249 | $46,995,250 | 5 |
| Nov 16, 2012 | 21 | $618,832 | -68% | 789 | $784 | $47,614,082 | 6 |
| Nov 23, 2012 | 32 | $115,245 | -81% | 127 | $907 | $47,729,327 | 7 |
| Nov 30, 2012 | 44 | $57,963 | -50% | 88 | $659 | $47,787,290 | 8 |
| Dec 7, 2012 | 44 | $52,776 | -9% | 214 | $247 | $47,840,066 | 9 |
| Dec 14, 2012 | 31 | $119,783 | +127% | 184 | $651 | $47,959,849 | 10 |
| Dec 21, 2012 | 43 | $56,935 | -52% | 82 | $694 | $48,016,784 | 11 |
| Dec 28, 2012 | 40 | $70,119 | +23% | 82 | $855 | $48,086,903 | 12 |
Top International Territories
Box Office Summary Per Territory
| Territory | Release Date |
Opening Weekend |
Opening Weekend Screens/Theaters |
Maximum Screens/Theaters |
Theatrical Engagements |
Total Box Office |
Report Date |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 10/25/2012 | $179,672 | 43 | 46 | 229 | $839,290 | 12/30/2018 | |||
| Austria | 11/23/2012 | $82,952 | 31 | 32 | 161 | $381,831 | 12/14/2015 | |||
| Belgium | 11/7/2012 | $104,027 | 20 | 20 | 96 | $406,267 | 12/13/2015 | |||
| Bolivia | 12/20/2012 | $15,206 | 2 | 7 | 15 | $60,291 | 12/30/2018 | |||
| Brazil | 10/12/2012 | $265,968 | 170 | 177 | 492 | $2,225,498 | 12/14/2015 | |||
| Chile | 11/1/2012 | $132,857 | 35 | 35 | 166 | $491,729 | 12/30/2018 | |||
| Colombia | 11/9/2012 | $115,491 | 53 | 53 | 190 | $479,356 | 12/30/2018 | |||
| Croatia | 11/22/2012 | $15,098 | 9 | 9 | 36 | $42,752 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| Czech Republic | 11/1/2012 | $56,928 | 39 | 39 | 154 | $254,064 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| Denmark | 11/1/2012 | $74,362 | 27 | 27 | 59 | $231,646 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Ecuador | 12/7/2012 | $33,631 | 13 | 13 | 26 | $97,533 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| Egypt | 12/19/2012 | $19,670 | 5 | 5 | 38 | $98,326 | 12/30/2018 | |||
| Estonia | 10/26/2012 | $14,148 | 7 | 7 | 17 | $42,922 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Finland | 10/26/2012 | $0 | 0 | 14 | 55 | $207,539 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| France | 11/7/2012 | $1,489,681 | 162 | 162 | 439 | $3,289,852 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Germany | 11/22/2012 | $287,099 | 94 | 94 | 303 | $1,237,963 | 12/13/2015 | |||
| Hong Kong | 11/22/2012 | $42,239 | 13 | 13 | 13 | $42,826 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Hungary | 12/6/2012 | $21,516 | 16 | 16 | 64 | $67,771 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| Iceland | 1/4/2013 | $11,646 | 6 | 6 | 12 | $29,870 | 12/30/2018 | |||
| Italy | 3/14/2013 | $392,805 | 142 | 142 | 242 | $652,810 | 12/14/2015 | |||
| Latvia | 11/2/2012 | $15,252 | 5 | 5 | 18 | $59,503 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| Lithuania | 10/26/2012 | $20,245 | 11 | 12 | 47 | $90,386 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Malaysia | 10/18/2012 | $370,746 | 65 | 65 | 238 | $675,854 | 4/4/2026 | |||
| Mexico | 10/12/2012 | $493,892 | 326 | 326 | 1,231 | $1,815,025 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Netherlands | 11/15/2012 | $219,200 | 45 | 45 | 150 | $794,647 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Norway | 10/31/2012 | $106,732 | 42 | 42 | 139 | $480,334 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Peru | 10/18/2012 | $0 | 0 | 48 | 66 | $379,985 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| Philippines | 10/10/2012 | $227,218 | 55 | 55 | 81 | $347,046 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| Poland | 11/23/2012 | $65,886 | 43 | 43 | 109 | $178,095 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| Portugal | 11/8/2012 | $27,904 | 10 | 10 | 32 | $79,629 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Singapore | 10/11/2012 | $246,900 | 25 | 25 | 69 | $613,414 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Slovakia | 11/1/2012 | $41,784 | 26 | 26 | 74 | $136,248 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| South Korea | 11/15/2012 | $183,958 | 183 | 183 | 183 | $229,837 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Spain | 10/31/2012 | $811,706 | 212 | 243 | 968 | $2,539,312 | 12/13/2015 | |||
| Sweden | 11/30/2012 | $0 | 0 | 12 | 27 | $2,434,275 | 12/13/2015 | |||
| Taiwan | 11/30/2012 | $57,157 | 19 | 19 | 48 | $186,774 | 12/13/2015 | |||
| Thailand | 10/18/2012 | $26,692 | 40 | 44 | 115 | $323,184 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Turkey | 3/29/2013 | $0 | 0 | 50 | 99 | $178,483 | 12/30/2018 | |||
| United Arab Emirates | 11/8/2012 | $152,768 | 25 | 25 | 25 | $196,539 | 12/29/2018 | |||
| United Kingdom | 10/5/2012 | $2,315,820 | 370 | 378 | 1,886 | $10,578,217 | 12/12/2015 | |||
| Uruguay | 12/7/2012 | $9,839 | 3 | 3 | 32 | $102,728 | 12/30/2018 | |||
| Venezuela | 12/7/2012 | $0 | 0 | 61,121 | 94,025 | $458,175 | 12/13/2015 | |||
| Rest of World | $5,583,078 | |||||||||
| International Total | $39,640,904 | 4/4/2026 | ||||||||
Note: Territories vary in whether they report screens or theaters. Full details on international box office data are available via our OpusData service.
Leading
| Ethan Hawke | Ellison Oswalt |
Supporting
| Juliet Rylance | Tracy | |
| Fred Dalton Thompson | Sheriff | |
| James Ransone | Deputy | |
| Michael Hall D'Addario | Trevor | |
| Clare Foley | Ashley | |
| Rob Riley | E.M.T |
Cameo
| Tavis Smiley | Anchor |
Supporting
| Janet Zappala | Reporter | |
| Victoria Leigh | Stephanie | |
| Cameron Ocasio | BBQ Boy | |
| Ethan Haberfield | Pool Party Boy | |
| Danielle Kotch | Lawn Work Girl | |
| Blake Mizrahi | Sleepy Time Boy | |
| Nick King | Bughuul / Mr. Boogie |
Production and Technical Credits
| Scott Derrickson | Director | |
| Scott Derrickson | Screenwriter | |
| C. Robert Cargill | Screenwriter | |
| Jason Blum | Producer | |
| Brian Kavanaugh-Jones | Producer | |
| Scott Derrickson | Executive Producer | |
| Charles Layton | Executive Producer | |
| Christopher Norr | Director of Photography | |
| David Brisbin | Production Designer | |
| Frederic Thoraval | Editor | |
| Ruth Salen | Casting | |
| Christopher Young | Composer | |
| Kaylene Carlson | Unit Production Manager | |
| Abby O'Sullivan | Costume Designer | |
| Gerard DiNardi | First Assistant Director | |
| Sheila Jaffe | Casting | |
| Nicholas E. Bell | Second Assistant Director | |
| Jessica Hall | Associate Producer | |
| Bailey Conway | Associate Producer | |
| Jeanette Volturno-Brill | Associate Producer | |
| Rick A. Osako | Associate Producer | |
| Gerard DiNardi | Line Producer | |
| Rob King | Los Angeles Stunt Coordinator | |
| Trampas Thompson | New York Stunt Coordinator |
Cast and crew with above-the-line roles are marked in bold. The line marks the division between above-the-line and below-the-line roles.
Full financial estimates for this film, including domestic and international box office, video sales, video rentals, TV and ancillary revenue are available through our research services. For more information, please contact us at research@the-numbers.com.