'Annabelle' Doll Movie Tops $150 Million at Box Office Worldwide, Set New Record for Horror in Colombia and Chile
Who knew that a creepy little doll named Annabelle would be such a hit around the globe, drawing in more than $150 million at the worldwide box office. It looks like "The Conjuring" prequel's doll would be better suited to have her entrancing eyes filled with dollar signs instead of evil fury!
¡Que muñeca mala! (What an evil doll!)
Annabelle has indeed cast her international spell, especially in Latin America -- with New Line Cinema and Warner Bros.' film "Annabelle" setting new opening records for the horror genre in Colombia and Chile, as well as Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Taiwan.
It turns out that Latinos -- especially Colombians and Chileans -- love to be spooked, proving that the horror genre is definitely universal. With Halloween around the corner, the movie-going audience is gearing up for fright night.
On Sunday, an official announcement was made by Dan Fellman, President, Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President, International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures regarding the film's growing success. "Annabelle" "surpassed the $150 million mark at the worldwide box office, earning more than $166.1 million to date and counting," according to their report.
"Director John R. Leonetti's supernatural thriller, produced by Peter Safran and James Wan, enjoyed the largest opening weekend this year at the domestic box office for a horror film, at $37.1 million," the report added. "The demonic doll, who first debuted in last summer's global hit 'The Conjuring,' has currently scared up more than $74.1 million at the domestic box office."
"Internationally, 'Annabelle' has taken in just over $92 million in 51 markets, including the U.K., Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Australia and much of Asia, with a number of markets yet to open, including Mexico."
"Who doesn't love a creepy doll?" an enthusiastic Fellman said during the announcement. "Annabelle is back and audiences have certainly missed her, judging by their enthusiastic welcome in theaters across the country. We're happy to have unleashed the spirit of Halloween a little early this year, and congratulate New Line and the filmmakers on reaching this impressive benchmark."
With "The Conjuring" a huge success, what is it about "Annabelle" that has gained so much traction around the globe as well?
"There's an appetite for scary movies the world over, and 'Annabelle' has really struck a chord. With several markets still to open, the film is on a strong trajectory that should continue to gain momentum as new audiences everywhere experience the thrills and chills it provides," Kwan Vandenberg added.
Fear is fear regardless of language or location.
In 2013, "The Conjuring" terrified audiences with Leonetti serving as cinematographer and James Wan as director of the global hit. "Annabelle," co-produced by Safran, takes viewers back to the beginning. So how does the story unfold?
In "Annabelle," John Form (Ward Horton, "The Wolf of Wall Street") gives his expectant wife, Mia (Annabelle Wallis, "X-Men: First Class" and "The Tudors") a rare vintage doll in a white wedding dress. But Mia's affection for Annabelle doesn't last long.
On one ill-fated night, their home is invaded by members of a satanic cult, who violently attack the couple. While they survive the brutal attack, the cultists have conjured a wicked entity, a "sinister conduit" -- Annabelle."
Latin Post was thrilled to have had the opportunity to get a closer look at New Line Cinema's supernatural thriller through exclusive interviews with the cast, including Wallis and Horton, Oscar nominee Alfre Woodard ("Cross Creek," "Twelve Years a Slave") who plays Evelyn, a neighbor who owns a bookstore, Tony Amendola (TV's "Once Upon A Time") as Father Perez, as well as Director John R. Leonetti.
The cast also includes Kerry O'Malley (TV's "Those Who Kill") and Brian Howe ("Devil's Knot") as neighbors Sharon and Pete Higgins and Eric Ladin (TV's "Boardwalk Empire,") as Detective Clarkin.
Check out the official trailer for "Annabelle" and decide if you want to be frightened for Halloween. Or maybe you can get ideas for how to dress up as the possessed doll -- if you dare!