Horror Film “Terrifier 3” Breaks Box Office Records Despite France’s Rare Under-18s Ban

Despite being slapped with a rare under-18s ban in France, Damien Leone’s horror film “Terrifier 3” has not scared moviegoers away, selling 244,000 tickets (€1.75m based on an average ticket price of €7.20) during its opening weekend.

Box Office Success

The figures, based on ticket sales from October 9-October 13, have already far surpassed “Terrifier 2″‘s total of 71,000 tickets (€511,000) over its five-week run in cinemas in late 2023.

French Ratings System

Discussing the strict ratings decision, ESC Editions’ Victor Lamoussiere says distributors “continue to believe that it’s undesirable to restrict access to horror films” but added: “nevertheless, we have to admit that this has contributed to the film’s explosive start in France.”

Factoring in the Ratings System

Under France’s current ratings system, overseen by its Ministry of Culture, films can be rated: Tous Publics (TP) which means suitable for all audiences and equivalent to the MPA’s G or PG rating, or be prohibited for viewing by certain age categories including 12 years (equivalent to a PG-13 rating), 16 (equivalent to an R rating) or – in rare cases – 18 (comparable to an NC-17 rating).

The Alternative Approach

When it comes to the under-16s and 18s ban, the films can also come with a ‘warning’ (‘avec avertissement’) which means that, in addition to its rating, cinemas are required to have someone enter the theatre and tell the audience that the film has been given the rating because of its violent or sexual nature.

Consequences of the Ban

Michael Haneke’s “Funny Games” came with the warning: “This film’s unflinching depiction of anguish and suffering may leave viewers in an unbearable position.”

Gaspard Noé’s 2002 title “Irreversible” came with an under-16s warning about depictions of rape: “Two very harsh scenes may offend the sensibilities of some viewers.” “Smile 2” currently has an under-16s ratings ban with no warning.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, despite the under-18s ban in France, "Terrifier 3" has achieved box office success, breaking records and far surpassing its predecessor’s totals. This is a testament to the dedication of horror fans and the strong demand for the film.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What is the ratings system in France?
  France’s current ratings system, overseen by its Ministry of Culture, has different ratings for different age categories, including Tous Publics (TP), 12, 16, and 18.
• Why was "Terrifier 3" given an under-18s ban in France?
  The film was given an under-18s ban due to its violent and sexual content, which is traditionally reserved for films with more explicit scenes.
• How did "Terrifier 3" perform at the box office in France?
  The film sold 244,000 tickets (€1.75m) during its opening weekend, breaking records and far surpassing its predecessor’s totals.