20 Horror Movies WAY More Successful Than Anyone Expected

20. Open Water

Written and directed by Chris Kentis, Open Water revolves around two scuba divers who get lost in a particularly shark-infested area of the ocean.

The survivalist drama relied on natural light, digital video, and a minimalist crew, which kept costs down (reportedly half a mil). At a time when the horror and thriller genres were swamped by big-time studio releases, few envisioned an independent project would get much notice.

However, Open Water's stripped-down realism resonated with the masses. The fact that real sharks were used throughout filming intrigued moviegoers, increasing Open Water's marketing appeal exponentially. Critical praise and positive buzz at festivals allowed the nerve-wracking indie to gain even more traction.

Ultimately, Open Water grossed $55 million, making every cent back a hundred times over. This accomplishment was deeply inspirational, since it demonstrated that independent thrillers were able to compete with the big leagues. On top of that, it encouraged small-time filmmakers to take risks and be ambitious with their own material.

The loose follow-ups mightn't have had similar results, but the original Open Water is a shining example of how a non-studio movie can bring in the big bucks.