The 10 Highest-Grossing Horror Films of the 1970s, Ranked by Revenue

      Are you searching for a vintage horror film that has received public approval?

      Here are the top 10 highest-grossing horror films from the 1970s.

      Take a look:

      10. **Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)**

      A still from Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Bryanston Distributing Company – Credit: C/O Bryanston Distributing Company

      Total Gross Worldwide: $30,902,270 (All box office figures in this article are sourced from BoxOfficeMojo.com.)

      Tobe Hooper's iconic horror film celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. The story follows a group of young adults who innocently visit a remote Texas home, unaware of the horrors that await them upon encountering a peculiar hitchhiker.

      This movie introduces one of horror's most legendary villains — Leatherface, who uses a chainsaw to kill his victims alongside his cannibalistic family.

      9. **Carrie (1976)**

      A still from Carrie, United Artists – Credit: C/O

      Total Gross Worldwide: $33,801,936

      Sissy Spacek leads this unforgettable adaptation of Stephen King's work about a teenage girl who is pushed to her limits by bullying at school and her abusive, excessively religious mother.

      When a boy she likes invites her to the prom, Carrie thinks she has one final chance at a joyful moment as a teenager — until someone decides to play a cruel prank on her. Little do they know, Carrie possesses supernatural telekinetic abilities and is about to lose control.

      8. **Halloween (1978)**

      Jamie Lee Curtis in Halloween, Compass International Pictures, Aquarius Releasing – Credit: C/O

      Total Gross Worldwide: $47,160,941

      Jamie Lee Curtis stars in this classic horror film featuring the infamous villain Mike Myers. With a chilling mask, Myers has a habit of slaughtering teenagers; after escaping prison where he had been incarcerated for killing his sister 15 years prior, he seeks out more victims.

      Curtis portrays Laurie Strode, whom Myers begins to stalk as he searches for his next target.

      7. **The Omen (1976)**

      20th Century Studios – Credit: C/O

      Total Gross Worldwide: $60,922,980

      In this classic horror tale, a mother experiences the sudden death of her newborn, and her husband secretly replaces him with another child. They name this new baby Damien, who turns out to be the antichrist.

      Trouble arises when baby Damien frightens animals and violently resists entering a church.

      Additionally, the story inspired the name of Damien Leone, whose Terrifier films have become some of the most successful recent horror franchises.

      6. **Young Frankenstein (1974)**

      20th Century Studios – Credit: C/O

      Total Gross Worldwide: $86,274,794

      There may be debate on whether Young Frankenstein should be included here, considering it is primarily a comedy. However, it is recognized as a comedy-horror film, being a parody of the horror genre, so we contend that it qualifies. It may not be as frightening as the other titles in this list, but it certainly belongs to the genre.

      Starring Gene Wilder, this film balances humor with spookiness.

      Also! Don’t miss our 10 Behind the Scenes Stories of Young Frankenstein.

      5. **The Amityville Horror (1979)**

      American International Pictures – Credit: C/O

      Total Gross Worldwide: $86,432,000

      Based on the Lutz family's experiences in a supposedly haunted house in Amityville, New York, The Amityville Horror features James Brolin and Margot Kidder as a couple whose home is afflicted by a malevolent force.

      The authenticity of the haunting at 112 Ocean Avenue has been contested over the years, though there was indeed a murder spree there in 1974 when Ronald DeFeo Jr. killed several family members. He was sentenced to second-degree murder and passed away in prison in 2021. Whether the haunting aspect is true remains uncertain, but the Amityville Horror films continue to provide entertainment.

      4. **Alien (1979)**

      20th Century Fox Studios – Credit: C/O

      Total Gross Worldwide: $108,591,169

      This classic sci-fi horror film is so well-regarded that it launched an entire franchise. Starring Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley, a crew member of the spaceship Nostromo, the film explores the consequences of discovering an alien presence on board.

      It spawned several sequels, starting with Aliens in 1986, along with other Alien films, including the most recent release, Alien: Romulus this year.

      3. **Jaws 2 (1978)**

      Universal Pictures – Credit: C/O

      Total Gross Worldwide: $187,884,007

      Although the sequel to the original Jaws may not have reached the same heights as its predecessor, it was still a financial success.

      Much like the