“It” Tops $500 Million at Worldwide Box Office

Horror blockbuster “It” has turned into a box office monster, crossing the $500 million milestone in worldwide grosses — making it officially the top horror film of all time.

Warner Bros. announced Thursday that “It” has eclipsed the 44-year record belonging to “The Exorcist” as the top grosser among horror films with $441 million. The studio noted that record for “The Exorcist” had been one of the longest-held records in cinema history.

“It” scored the biggest opening weekend ever for a horror film in more than 30 markets, including the U.K., Russia, Brazil, Mexico, and Australia. In 17 of those territories, including the U.K., Russia, and Australia, “It” has already become the top-grossing horror film of all time. The film has plenty of gas in the tank, too, as it has yet to open in Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Domestically, “It” currently stands at $272 million at the U.S. box office as of Sept 27. Top foreign markets are the U.K. at $35 million and Mexico at $21 million.

New Line and Warner Bros. have set the “It” sequel for release on Sept. 6, 2019. The studio had revealed earlier this month that Gary Dauberman was working on the script.

Muschietti, who directed “It,” is expected to return for the second installment. Producers Barbara Muschietti, Roy Lee, Dan Lin, Seth Grahame-Smith, and David Katzenberg are believed to be back as well.

Stephen King's 1986 novel focuses on a group of friends in a fictional Maine community that battles small town's demon as kids, and then again as adults. The blockbuster movie, which opened Sept. 8, centers on the children, while the upcoming film will follow them into adulthood.

Made for about $35 million, “It” stars Bill Skarsgard as Pennywise, along with Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Wyatt Oleff, Chosen Jacobs, Jack Dylan Grazer, Nicholas Hamilton, Jaeden Lieberher, and Jackson Robert Scott.