'Krampus' Scares Up $637,000 at Thursday Box Office

Legendary and Universal’s “Krampus” scared up $637,000 from 2,173 theaters at the box office on Thursday night, and is looking to make somewhere in the low-teens this weekend.

The dark horror comedy is about a child-eating anti-Santa demon. The PG-13 “Krampus” is based on a scary horned beast from German folklore that surfaces over the yuletide to terrorize children who have been bad.

The film stars Adam Scott and Toni Collette, and was directed and co-written by Michael Dougherty. He’s best known for his work on the scripts of Bryan Singer‘s “X2: X-Men United” and “Superman Returns,” as well as directing the cult horror film “Trick ‘r Treat.”

Also Read: 'Krampus' Review: Adam Scott, Toni Collette Battle Christmas Demon in Holiday Horror Short on Fun

“Krampus” had a $15 million production budget and was produced by Legendary’s Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni and Alex Garcia.

Analysts predict that Pixar Animation’s “The Good Dinosaur” and Lionsgate’s “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2” will battle for No. 1 at the box office, with both films’ high ends likely around $25 million. “Mockingjay – Part 1” did $22 million on the comparable weekend last year.

Also Read: Can Holiday Horror 'Krampus' Take 'Hunger Games,' 'Good Dinosaur' for Box Office Slay Ride?

Another movie opening on Friday is Spike Lee‘s “Chi-Raq,” the first original movie from Amazon Studios, which will roll out in roughly 300 theaters via Roadside Attractions on Friday, ahead of its streaming debut on Amazon Prime.

Also opening Friday in limited release: “Life,” starring Dane DeHaan, Robert Pattinson, Ben Kingsley and Joel Edgerton, a biographical drama based on the friendship of Life photographer Dennis Stock and actor James Dean, directed by Anton Corbijn.

9 Christmas Horror Movies That Scared Up Box Office, From 'Gremlins' to 'Black Christmas' (Photos)

A look at top-grossing holiday shock-fests that have inspired ho-ho-horror -- including last year's "Black Christmas" remake.
9. "Silent Night" (2012)

Opening: $9,779

Cumulative: $14,567

Malcolm McDowell, Jaime King and Donal Logue star in the film about a murderous Santa who picks off people one by one.
Anchor Bay
8. "Better Watch Out" (2016)

Opening: $12,569

Cumulative: $20,369

Olivia DeJonge plays a babysitter who must protect a 12-year-old boy after a home invasion while his parents are out at a holiday party.
Well Go
7. "Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale" (2010)

Opening: $9,281

Cumulative: $236,347

The film follows a group of people living near the Korvatunturi mountain who discover the secret behind Santa Claus.
Oscilloscope Pictures
6. "Anna and the Apocalypse" (2018)

Opening: $52,588
Cumulative: $545,597

In this comedic musical with grossout touches, a teenager and her friends ward off the zombie apocalypse when it comes at Christmas-time.

Orion
5. "Silent Night, Deadly Night" (1984)

Opening: $1.4 million
Cumulative: $2.5 million

In the slasher film, a young boy loses his parents and years later becomes a spree killer in a Santa costume.
TriStar
4. "Black Christmas" (2019)

Opening: $4.2 million
Cumulative: $10.4 million

A second remake of a 1974 Canadian film, starring Imogen Poots, Aleyse Shannon, Lily Donoghue and Brittany O'Grady, this slasher film about sorority sisters fighting off a stalker takes a stab at feminist themes.
Universal
3. "Black Christmas" (2006)

Opening: $3.7 million
Cumulative: $16.3 million

Michelle Trachtenberg, Lacey Chabert and Katie Cassidy star in the slasher film about sorority girls getting murdered one by one (a remake of a 1974 Canadian film).
MGM
2. "Krampus" (2015)

Opening: $16.3 million
Cumulative: $42.7 million

A boy in a dysfunctional family turns his back on Christmas -- and accidentally unleashes a demon force as a result.
Universal
1. "Gremlins" (1984)

Opening: $12.5 million
Cumulative: $148.2 million

The movie follows a young boy who breaks rules and unleashes a horde of mischievous monsters.
Warner Bros.