Summary
Robert Eggers' upcoming vampire horrorNosferatuhas striking connections to two Tim Burton and Johnny Depp film collaborations, one of which was an infamous box office flop. So far,Nosferatuhas sported some exciting characteristics that prove its impending box office performance shouldn’t be a cause for concern. WithNosferatu’srecently released trailerpromising an all-around unsettling viewing experience and an impressive cast lineup, including horror favorites Bill Skarsgård (It,It Chapter Two) and Willem Dafoe (American Psycho,The Lighthouse), set to feature,Nosferatuis looking to be a major horror crowd draw.
Its potential as a crowd-puller is even more likely as a remake of F. W. Murnau’s seminal filmNosferatu: A Symphony of Horrorbased on Bram Stoker’sDracula, both of which have been instrumental works in the genre’s evolution. That said,the cinematic climate hasn’t been too keen on vampire films lately, andNosferatucould be doomedto underperform like those preceding it. Yet, iftheNosferaturemakecan take advantage of its strengths - and, oddly enough, capitalize on its connections to old Burton and Depp collaborations - it can become a big win at the box office and with audiences.
Recent vampire movies likeAbigail,Renfield, andThe Last VoyageofDemeterall underperformed at the box office.
Nosferatu
Cast
Nosferatu is a remake of the 1922 silent film of the same name from director F. W. Murnau. Robert Eggers is crafting his own version of the story for the reboot as writer and director, with Bill Skarsgård stepping into the shoes of Count Orlok. Nosferatu tells the tale of a young woman who falls victim to a vampire utterly infatuated with her.
Johnny & Lily-Rose Depp Have Now Both Starred In Dracula-Inspired Vampire Horror Movies
In Dark Shadows and Nosferatu, Respectively
More than anything else, Burton’s 2012 filmDark Shadowscontributed to the sinking trend of vampire movies, failing to win over viewers and flopping at the box office with $245 million made worldwide off a $150 million budget (Box Office Mojo).Dark Shadowshad great potential for drawing crowds due to the big-name celebrity of Burton and Depp, but quickly floundered when reviews skewered it for being unremarkable and uninteresting. Coincidentally,Depp’s daughter Lily-Rose is now starring in the vampire horrorNosferatu, for which the burgeoning celebrity can help draw in audiences that don’t typically frequent horror.
Compounded by enticing followers ofNosferatu’sbig-name stars like Skarsgård and Dafoe, the film has the clout to pull theatergoers of varying interests.
Lily-Rose may not bring the same amount of fame toNosferatuas Burton and Depp had toDark Shadows -butshe can attract viewers of her drama contributions, such as the divisive seriesThe Idol, or supporters of her modeling career to theaters to see how she fares in horror. Compounded by enticing followers ofNosferatu’sbig-name stars like Skarsgårdand Dafoe, the film has the clout to pull theatergoers of varying interests. To persist whereDark Shadowsfaltered, allNosferatuwould need is to execute enough substance in its story and production to keep viewers' interest on a high.
“Like Conjuring Pure Evil”: Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu Vampire Gets Chilling Preview From Bill Skarsgård
Bill Skarsgård teases what audiences can expect from his terrifying Count Orlok vampire character in Robert Eggers’ upcoming Nosferatu remake.
Nosferatu’s Release Is Repeating The Strategy Of A Different Johnny Depp & Tim Burton Horror Movie
Nosferatu Will Repeat The Release Strategy Of Burton’s Sweeney Todd
Nosferatualso has an interesting connection to Burton and Depp’s 2007 musical slasherSweeney Todd,asit will similarly be released on Christmas.Sweeney Toddtook a chance at introducing Depp as the Demon Barber of Fleet Street to bring in the sentimental holiday but succeeded tremendously. On opening day,Sweeney Toddgrossed $9 million, then proceeded to triple its budget of $50 million throughout the holiday season, with a total of $153.3 million earned worldwide (viaThe Numbers). As anticipation sets in,Nosferatucould repeat the same high-yielding results.
So far, the cinematic docket for Christmas Day includes Michael Gracey’s music biopicBetter Manand Rachel Morrison’s comedy-dramaThe Fire Inside. Because each will draw vastly different crowds,Nosferatucan capitalize particularly on those not looking for the lighthearted watchthat each holiday season so often brings.Nosferatu’srelease strategy has also been successfully utilized by atypical Christmas Day films likeThe Hateful Eight(2015),Wolf Creek(2005),Django Unchained(2012), and 1917 (2019).
Dark Shadows
Loosely based on the gothic soap opera of the same name, Dark Shadows follows a vampire named Barnabas Collins when he is unearthed from his tomb after 200 years. Barnabas adjusts to modern life, falls in love, and searches for a cure, but first he must confront the witch who cursed him so long ago.
Sweeney Todd
Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd is a musical horror movie based on the stage play of the same name. Johnny Depp stars as the titular barber, who teams up with baker Nellie Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter) to seek revenge against those who wronged him. The cast also includes Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, and Sacha Baron Cohen.
