Terrifier 3

{{Infobox film

| image = Terrifier 3 poster.jpg

| alt = Art the Clown holds a blood-stained axe that reflects his face.

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = Damien Leone

| writer = Damien Leone

| producer = {{Plainlist|

Damien Leone
Phil Falcone

}}

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| cinematography = George Steuber

| editing = Damien Leone

| music = Paul Wiley

| studio = {{Plainlist|

Dark Age Cinema{{cite web |title=Terrifier 3 (2024) |url=https://www.filmaffinity.com/en/film257164.html |website=Filmaffinity |access-date=October 11, 2024}}
Bloody Disgusting
The Coven
Fuzz on the Lens Productions

}}

| distributor = {{Plainlist|

Cineverse
Iconic Events Releasing{{cite web |last1=Carson |first1=Lexi |title='Terrifier 3' Partners With Iconic Events Releasing for October Theatrical Run (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/terrifier-3-iconic-events-releasing-1235965213/ |website=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=5 November 2024 |date=9 April 2024}}

}}

| released = {{Film date|2024|9|19|Fantastic Fest|2024|10|11|United States}}

| runtime = 125 minutes{{Cite web|date=September 19, 2024|title=Terrifier 3 (18)|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/terrifier-3-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdizmdy4|access-date=September 19, 2024|website=British Board of Film Classification|archive-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919195030/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/terrifier-3-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdizmdy4|url-status=live}}

| country = United States

| language = English

| budget = $2 million

| gross = $90.3 million{{Cite web |title=Terrifier 3 |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt27911000/?ref_=bo_se_r_1/ |access-date=December 19, 2024 |website=Box Office Mojo}}{{Cite web |title=Terrifier 3 (2024) - Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Terrifier-3-(2024)#tab=summary |access-date=November 18, 2024 |website=The Numbers}}

}}

Terrifier 3 is a 2024 American Christmas slasher film{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3787487/terrifier-3-heres-the-official-poster-for-next-years-holiday-slasher/|title='Terrifier 3' – Here's the Official Poster for Next Year's Holiday Slasher!|website=Bloody Disgusting|first=John|last=Squires|date=November 7, 2023|access-date=November 7, 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/terrifier-3-box-office-audiences-buying-wild-robot-tickets-report/|title=Terrifier 3's Astounding Opening Weekend Box Office Could Have Been Even Bigger If Teenagers Weren't Seemingly Buying Tickets To Another Movie & Sneaking In|website=Screen Rant|first=Bella|last=Garcia|date=October 17, 2024|access-date=October 17, 2024}} co-produced, written, edited, and directed by Damien Leone. It is the sequel to Terrifier 2 (2022) and the third installment in the Terrifier film series. The film stars David Howard Thornton, Lauren LaVera, Elliott Fullam, and Samantha Scaffidi. On the days leading up to Christmas, Sienna Shaw attempts to rebuild her life, while pursued by Art the Clown alongside his new accomplice, a possessed Victoria Heyes.

Following the critical and commercial success of Terrifier 2, Leone began writing for the third film with plans for an overarching narrative. Leone wanted to feature Victoria more prominently, as he regretted leaving the character underdeveloped in the first film. Principal photography began in February 2024 on a $2 million budget, and wrapped that April.

Terrifier 3 premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 19, 2024, and was theatrically released in the United States on October 11, by Cineverse and Iconic Events Releasing. It received positive reviews and was a commerical success, grossing $90.3 million, becoming the highest-grossing unrated film of all time, Cineverse's highest-grossing film, and the highest-grossing film of the franchise.

Plot

After being beheaded by Sienna Shaw,{{efn|name=Terrifier2Plot|As depicted in Terrifier 2 (2022).}} Art the Clown's headless body decapitates a police officer responding to the incident, and makes its way to the asylum where survivor Victoria Heyes, now possessed by the Little Pale Girl, has just given birth to Art's head. Art reattaches his head to his body; he and Victoria kill a nurse and a guard before entering an abandoned house and going into hibernation.

Five years later, Sienna is released from a mental health center to stay with her aunt Jess, her uncle Greg, and her cousin Gabbie, who idolizes Sienna but has no knowledge of the events she endured. Sienna is suffering from survivor guilt and experiences a hallucination of her deceased best friend Brooke, whose death{{efn|name=Terrifier2Plot}} she feels responsible for. She struggles to reconnect with her younger brother Jonathan, who is now in college. Art and Victoria are woken by two demolition workers; they kill the workers. Art then shoots two men dead and kills a Santa Claus impersonator at a bar using liquid nitrogen and takes his Santa costume, then brutally kills a family with an axe in their home. In the morning, Art poses as a mall Santa and uses explosives disguised as presents to kill several people, many of them children. Sienna thinks she sees Art at the mall in disguise before the explosion, but does not tell her family.

Sienna visits Jonathan at his university, where she meets Jonathan's roommate Cole and his girlfriend Mia, who hosts a true crime podcast. Mia pressures Sienna and Jonathan to participate in an interview about the Miles County Massacre, but Sienna lashes out. Sienna confesses to Jonathan that she thinks Art is still alive, and she shows Jonathan a letter that he wrote to her while she was in the psychiatric hospital, which states that demons can come into our world via possessing hosts like Victoria with the help of evil and depraved killers like Art. She tells Jonathan that she plans to return to the Terrifier haunted attraction to retrieve her father's sword. Art arrives at the university and kills Mia and Cole with a chainsaw. Sienna learns about the mall killings on the news and panics, demanding Jonathan return home from college and warning the family they are not safe. Greg leaves to collect Jonathan while Sienna falls asleep. She dreams of her father and of the angels crafting the armor from her warrior costume that he drew for her. Sienna wakes to hear Jess and Greg downstairs discussing what they should do about her worsening condition. When she walks into the dining room, Sienna instead finds Art and Victoria decorating Greg's decapitated and eviscerated body pinned to the wall. Sienna runs but is incapacitated by Art with a mallet.

Sienna regains consciousness and finds herself and Jess tied to chairs and gagged. Victoria shows them a skinless head being consumed by rats, telling Jess that it is Gabbie's head. Art and Victoria kill Jess by hammering a tube into her throat, forcing rats down it and slitting her throat. Art enters with Gabbie as a hostage, and Victoria tells Sienna that the head is actually Jonathan's head. Victoria places a crown of thorns on Sienna's head and tries to possess her, but she resists. Victoria tells Sienna to open her Christmas gift from Gabbie, which, unbeknownst to Victoria, contains Sienna's sword. Sienna breaks free and uses the sword to cut Art's throat and decapitate Victoria. Victoria's pool of blood burns through the floor and creates a portal to Hell, into which Gabbie falls. Despite Sienna's efforts, Gabbie falls into the abyss with the sword. Art flees through a window and boards a city bus, and Sienna looks down at her wounded hands as they heal, vowing to find and rescue Gabbie.

Cast

{{multiple image

| total_width = 300

| direction = horizontal

| align = right

| footer = David Howard Thornton (pictured in 2023) and Lauren LaVera (pictured in 2024)

| image1 = David Howard Thornton (53039363451) (cropped).jpg

| alt1 = A photograph of David Howard Thornton

| image2 = Lauren LaVera - 2024 - A30024 - 54084146933 (cropped).jpg

| alt2 = A photograph of Lauren LaVera

}}

David Howard Thornton as Art the Clown
Lauren LaVera as Sienna Shaw, Jonathan's older sister and the one who decapitated Art in the previous film and now is released from a mental health center
Luciana Elisa Quiñonez as young Sienna
Elliott Fullam as Jonathan Shaw, Sienna's younger brother who is now in college and trying to move on with life after the events that he had experienced
Samantha Scaffidi as Victoria Heyes, the younger sister of Art's victim, Tara Heyes, and the sole survivor of the events of the first film, who becomes possessed by the Little Pale Girl and acts as Art's partner-in-crime
Margaret Anne Florence as Jess Shaw, Greg's wife, Gabbie's mother and Sienna and Jonathan's aunt who is the older sister of their mother Barbara
Bryce Johnson as Greg Shaw, Jess's husband, Gabbie's father and uncle of Sienna and Jonathan
Antonella Rose as Gabbie Shaw, Jess and Greg's daughter and Sienna and Jonathan's cousin who idolizes Sienna
Chris Jericho as Adam Burke, an orderly in the Miles County Psychiatric Hospital
Daniel Roebuck as Santa Claus
Tom Savini as a bystander
Jason Patric as Michael Shaw, Sienna and Jonathan's father who is an artist that died from a brain tumor
Krsy Fox as Jennifer
Alexa Blair Robertson as Mia, Cole's girlfriend and a true crime enthusiast obsessed with the Miles County Massacre
Mason Mecartea as Cole, Jonathan's dorm mate
Stephen Cofield Jr. as Officer Evans
Clint Howard as Smokey
Annie Lederman as Graven Image co-host
Bradley Stryker as Eddie
Jon Abrahams as Dennis

Production

File:Damien Leone Photo Op Animate Nightmare Weekend Des Moines 2024.jpg]]

This film featured the character of Victoria Heyes, the heroine turned villainess of Terrifier (2016), in a much more prominent role compared to the 2016 film and its 2022 sequel—with Damien Leone's biggest regret with the first film being leaving her underdeveloped. The original ending of Terrifier 2 set up Victoria's demise in the opening of this film, but Leone deemed it to be too similar to the concept of Malignant (2021). While conceptualizing the birthing scene, he decided he wanted to keep Victoria alive and give her significant character development, as he enjoyed working with Samantha Scaffidi.{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/interviews/3554905/interview-david-howard-thornton-teases-terrifier-2-says-script-terrifier-3-already-underway/|title=[Interview] David Howard Thornton Teases 'Terrifier 2' and Says Script for 'Terrifier 3' is Already Underway|website=Bloody Disgusting|first=Cullen|last=Fleetwood|date=April 9, 2019|access-date=April 15, 2023|archive-date=March 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320204308/https://bloody-disgusting.com/interviews/3554905/interview-david-howard-thornton-teases-terrifier-2-says-script-terrifier-3-already-underway/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/damien-leone-terrifier-3-evil-dead-sam-raimi-new-project-2023-2|title='Terrifier' director Damien Leone teases 'Terrifier 3' and a potential 4th film, and says he's met with 'Evil Dead' director Sam Raimi about a new project|website=Insider|first=Eammon|last=Jacobs|date=February 2, 2023|access-date=April 15, 2023|archive-date=November 7, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231107202224/https://www.insider.com/damien-leone-terrifier-3-evil-dead-sam-raimi-new-project-2023-2|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Bilodeau |first=Matthew |date=February 3, 2023 |title=Damien Leone Is Writing Terrifier 3, And Then Hopes To Work With Sam Raimi |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1187893/damien-leone-is-writing-terrifier-3-and-then-hopes-to-work-with-sam-raimi/ |access-date=April 16, 2023 |website=/Film |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416223702/https://www.slashfilm.com/1187893/damien-leone-is-writing-terrifier-3-and-then-hopes-to-work-with-sam-raimi/ |url-status=live }}

In December 2023, it was confirmed that Chris Jericho was set to appear in Terrifier 3.{{Cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1440991-terrifier-3-new-details|title=Terrifier 3: Damien Leone Shares Fresh Details on His Festive Slasher Sequel|website=ComingSoon|first=Neil|last=Bolt|date=December 13, 2023|access-date=December 13, 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213174417/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1440991-terrifier-3-new-details|archive-date=December 13, 2023}} In April 2024, it was confirmed that Daniel Roebuck was set to appear as Santa Claus in Terrifier 3.{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/exclusives/3808228/daniel-roebuck-has-joined-the-cast-of-terrifier-3-exclusive/|title=Daniel Roebuck Has Joined the Cast of 'Terrifier 3'! [Exclusive]|website=Bloody Disgusting|first=Alex|last=DiVincenzo|date=April 12, 2024|access-date=April 12, 2024|archive-date=April 12, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412164342/https://bloody-disgusting.com/exclusives/3808228/daniel-roebuck-has-joined-the-cast-of-terrifier-3-exclusive/|url-status=live}} In May 2024, it was announced that Tom Savini was set to appear in Terrifier 3.{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3813504/terrifier-3-makeup-effects-legend-tom-savini-will-appear-in-slasher-sequel/|title='Terrifier 3' – Makeup Effects Legend Tom Savini Will Appear in Slasher Sequel|website=Bloody Disgusting|first=John|last=Squires|date=May 23, 2024|access-date=May 23, 2024|archive-date=May 23, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523133148/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3813504/terrifier-3-makeup-effects-legend-tom-savini-will-appear-in-slasher-sequel/|url-status=live}} In June 2024, it was announced that Jason Patric was set to appear in Terrifier 3.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/06/terrifier-jason-patric-joins-cast-horror-movie-filming-wraps-1235975623/|title='Terrifier 3': Jason Patric Joins Cast Of Horror Pic, Filming Wraps & New Image Released|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=June 17, 2024|access-date=June 17, 2024|archive-date=June 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617163118/https://deadline.com/2024/06/terrifier-jason-patric-joins-cast-horror-movie-filming-wraps-1235975623/|url-status=live}} In July 2024, it was announced that Antonella Rose, Krsy Fox, Clint Howard, and Jon Abrahams were set to appear in Terrifier 3.{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3818925/terrifier-3-clint-howard-krsy-fox-come-face-to-face-with-art-the-clown/|title='Terrifier 3' – Clint Howard & Krsy Fox Come Face-to-Face With Art the Clown!|website=Bloody Disgusting|first=Brad|last=Miska|date=July 10, 2024|access-date=July 10, 2024|archive-date=July 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710162903/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3818925/terrifier-3-clint-howard-krsy-fox-come-face-to-face-with-art-the-clown/|url-status=live}}

In May 2023, it was announced that Terrifier 3 was expected to begin filming in November or December 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/terrifier-sequel-art-clown-release-details-bigger-budget-box-office-hit-1235383506/|title='Terrifier 3': Details Revealed For Bigger Budget Threequel After Second Film's Box Office Breakout|website=Deadline|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=May 31, 2023|access-date=May 31, 2023|archive-date=May 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531163744/https://deadline.com/2023/05/terrifier-sequel-art-clown-release-details-bigger-budget-box-office-hit-1235383506/|url-status=live}} Principal photography began in February 2024 and wrapped in April 2024,{{Cite web |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |date=December 12, 2023 |title=Terrifier 3: Director Damien Leone & Star Lauren LaVera Lift The Lid On Next Installment In Breakout Horror Franchise & What Could Come After |url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/terrifier-chris-jericho-lauren-lavera-damien-leone-casting-filming-1235664387/ |access-date=December 12, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212161908/https://deadline.com/2023/12/terrifier-chris-jericho-lauren-lavera-damien-leone-casting-filming-1235664387/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3801026/first-behind-the-scenes-look-at-art-the-clown-in-terrifier-3-now-filming/|title=First Behind the Scenes Look at Art the Clown in 'Terrifier 3'; Now Filming!|website=Bloody Disgusting|first=John|last=Squires|date=February 23, 2024|access-date=February 23, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223155808/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3801026/first-behind-the-scenes-look-at-art-the-clown-in-terrifier-3-now-filming/|archive-date=February 23, 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3808486/terrifier-3-filming-has-wrapped-on-damien-leones-christmas-slasher-sequel/|title='Terrifier 3': Filming Has Wrapped on Damien Leone's Christmas Slasher Sequel!|website=Bloody Disgusting|first=John|last=Squires|date=April 15, 2024|access-date=April 15, 2024|archive-date=April 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415142240/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3808486/terrifier-3-filming-has-wrapped-on-damien-leones-christmas-slasher-sequel/|url-status=live}} with additional scenes completed in New York until early/mid June. Leone chose to shoot the film using Panavision anamorphic lenses with the intention of making the film look like a "vintage John Carpenter movie".{{Cite web |date=November 2, 2023 |title=Interview: Damien Leone on Terrifier 2's Success, Terrifier 3's Different Tone, and Art vs. Ash |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/interview-damien-leone-terrifier-2-153500874.html |access-date=September 24, 2024 |website=Yahoo |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007225351/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/interview-damien-leone-terrifier-2-153500874.html |url-status=live }} The film cost $2 million to produce, up from its predecessor's $250,000 budget; Variety described the budget as "still wildly low by Hollywood standards".{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/terrifier-3-chainsaw-psycho-tribute-budget-1236173304/|title=Terrifier 3 Director Breaks Down His Chainsaw-Fueled Psycho Tribute and the Line Even He Won't Cross on Screen|date=October 10, 2024|first=William|last=Earl|website=Variety|access-date=October 13, 2024}}

Release

Terrifier 3 was theatrically released in the United States on October 11, 2024, by Cineverse, who acquired distribution rights in June 2023, setting it for a wide release in collaboration with Iconic Events Releasing, with an exclusive streaming debut on the former's Screambox service.{{cite web|title=Terrifier 3: Cineverse Acquires North American Rights; Director Reveals How He's Planning to Top Gory Sequel: 'I Can't Let the Fans Down'|website=Variety|first=William|last=Earl|date=June 12, 2023|access-date=June 12, 2023|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/terrifier-3-director-art-the-clown-gore-1235639529/|archive-date=June 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612124217/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/terrifier-3-director-art-the-clown-gore-1235639529/amp/|url-status=live}} It was originally scheduled for October 25,{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3786827/terrifier-3-will-slay-christmas-in-theaters-on-october-25-2024/|title='Terrifier 3' Will Slay Christmas in Theaters on October 25, 2024!|website=Bloody Disgusting|first=John|last=Squires|date=November 2, 2023|access-date=November 2, 2023|archive-date=November 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102200035/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3786827/terrifier-3-will-slay-christmas-in-theaters-on-october-25-2024/|url-status=live}} but was moved forward to its new date in May 2024.{{cite web|title='Terrifier 3' U.S. Release Date Brought Forward To October 11|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Andreas|last=Wiseman|date=May 1, 2024|access-date=May 1, 2024|url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/terrifier-release-date-october-11-art-clown-horror-1235900987/|archive-date=May 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501133826/https://deadline.com/2024/05/terrifier-release-date-october-11-art-clown-horror-1235900987/|url-status=live}} The film premiered on opening night at the 2024 Fantastic Fest on September 19.{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3825717/terrifier-3-to-world-premiere-at-fantastic-fest-on-opening-night/|title='Terrifier 3' to World Premiere at Fantastic Fest on Opening Night!|website=Bloody Disgusting|first=Brad|last=Miska|date=August 15, 2024|access-date=August 15, 2024|archive-date=August 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815162318/https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3825717/terrifier-3-to-world-premiere-at-fantastic-fest-on-opening-night/|url-status=live}} In select AMC Theatres, the film played as a double feature with Terrifier 2, followed by a music video presentation of the film's official song "A Work of Art" by Ice Nine Kills, featuring System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian,{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=John |date=September 16, 2024 |title=Official 'Terrifier 3' Music Video from Ice Nine Kills Slashing into Fantastic Fest & AMC Theatres! |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3831294/official-terrifier-3-music-video-from-ice-nine-kills-slashing-into-fantastic-fest-amc-theatres/ |access-date=September 16, 2024 |website=Bloody Disgusting! |language=en-US |archive-date=September 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917141800/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3831294/official-terrifier-3-music-video-from-ice-nine-kills-slashing-into-fantastic-fest-amc-theatres/ |url-status=live }} which was released as a single in tandem with the film's theatrical release on October 11.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/ice-nine-kills-unveil-terrifier-3-single-and-video-our-most-glorious-and-goresome-offering-yet|title=Ice Nine Kills unveil Terrifier 3 single and video: 'Our most glorious and goresome offering yet'|website=Kerrang!|last=Carter|first=Emily|date=October 11, 2024|access-date=October 11, 2024}}

Cineverse spent under $5 million to acquire and market the film; advertising costs were $500,000 (as the film was largely marketed to Cineverse's Bloody Disgusting fanbase and 80 million streaming subscribers across 30 channels) and additional acquisition costs were covered by a loan of at most $3.67 million, with the lender receiving 15% of royalties, capped at $6.4 million.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/terrifier-3-cineverse-box-office-streaming-screambox-1236110069/|title=Into The Cineverse With Terrifier 3{{'}}s Distributor: How A Six-Figure Investment Turned Into Tens Of Millions In Box Office|date=October 19, 2024|first=Dade|last=Hayes|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=October 19, 2024}} The film forwent submission for a Motion Picture Association rating to avoid an NC-17 rating.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/terrifier-3-movie-ratings-system-1236032011/|title=Terrifier 3 Not Clowning Around: How the Uber-Gruesome Pic Upended the Movie Ratings System|date=October 15, 2024|first=Pamela|last=McClintock|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=October 16, 2024}}

= Home media =

Terrifier 3 was released digitally on November 26, 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3846791/you-can-watch-terrifier-3-at-home-on-digital-beginning-tomorrow/|title=You Can Watch 'Terrifier 3' at Home on Digital Beginning TOMORROW!|website=Bloody Disgusting|first=John|last=Squires|date=November 25, 2024|access-date=December 5, 2024|archive-date=December 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241205171322/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3846791/you-can-watch-terrifier-3-at-home-on-digital-beginning-tomorrow/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3846877/damien-leones-holiday-bloodbath-terrifier-3-now-available-on-digital-at-home/|title=Damien Leone's Holiday Bloodbath 'Terrifier 3' Now Available on Digital at Home!|website=Bloody Disgusting|first=John|last=Squires|date=November 26, 2024|access-date=December 5, 2024|archive-date=December 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241205171306/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3846877/damien-leones-holiday-bloodbath-terrifier-3-now-available-on-digital-at-home/|url-status=live}} In Australia, the film is set to be released by Umbrella Entertainment in a 4-film box set, alongside All Hallows' Eve, Terrifier, Terrifier 2 and Terrifier 3 on Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD and VHS from January 31, 2025.{{Cite web |title=ART ATTACK - Terrifier Collector's Edition Boxset (4 Movie +Slipcases +Book +Brick Set +VHS +Sunglasses) 4K & Blu-ray |url=https://shop.umbrellaent.com.au/products/terrifier-boxset-2016-2022-2024-4k-blu-ray-collectors-edition |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Umbrella Entertainment |language=en}}

Reception

=Box office=

Terrifier 3 grossed $54{{nbsp}}million in the United States and Canada, and $36.3{{nbsp}}million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $90.3{{nbsp}}million.

In the United States and Canada, Terrifier 3 was projected to gross $10–11 million from 2,514 theaters in its opening weekend, with one estimate by Boxoffice Pro at $12–18 million.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/box-office-joker-2-second-weekend-drop-1236173291/|title=Box Office: Joker: Folie à Deux Braces for Brutal 65% Drop, Terrifier 3 Aims for Solid $10 Million Debut|date=October 9, 2024|first=Rebecca|last=Rubin|website=Variety|access-date=October 13, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/terrifier-3-joker-folie-a-deux-box-office-1236111346/|title=Terrifier 3 Looks To Slash Joker: Folie à Deux At Weekend Box Office With $11M+ Opening – Preview|date=October 9, 2024|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=October 9, 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficepro.com/weekend-preview-terrifier-3-looks-to-pull-of-shock-upset-at-the-box-office/|title=Weekend Preview: Terrifier 3 Looks to Pull a Shock Upset at the Box Office|date=October 9, 2024|website=Boxoffice Pro|access-date=October 9, 2024}} The film made $8.2 million on its first day (including $2.6 million from Thursday night previews). It debuted to $18.9 million, topping the box office. As an indie film, Terrifier 3 notably placed ahead of DC Comics holdover Joker: Folie à Deux.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/box-office-terrifier-3-joker-folie-a-deux-the-apprentice-1236113611/|title=Clown Vs. Clown: Terrifier 3 Shows Teeth With $18M+ As Joker 2 Posts Record Drop For DC Character Pic; Awards Season Darlings Shriek – Sunday Box Office|date=October 13, 2024|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=October 13, 2024}} Theater chains treated the unrated film as an R-rated film, turning down attendees 17 or younger if unaccompanied by a parent or guardian; two distribution sources speculated that more people saw the film than reported, theorizing that a "noticeable bump" in the earnings for The Wild Robot that weekend was the result of teenagers buying tickets to The Wild Robot and then sneaking into screenings of Terrifier 3. The trend continued into the film's first Monday, during which it earned $2.6 million, bringing its four-day total to $21.5 million.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/terrifier-3-box-office-opening-1236115550/|title=Terrifier 3 Posts $21.5M 4-Day Holiday Opening, Looks To Stab Near $2M Tuesday: 'This Picture Continues To Confound' – Update|date=October 15, 2024|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=October 16, 2024}} In its second weekend, the film made $9.3 million (a drop of 51%), finishing in third.{{cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2024/10/box-office-smile-2-1236120024/ |title=Smile 2 Happier With $23M Opening; A24's We Live In Time Making Dime With $4M+, Anora Wows With Massive $90K Theater Average – Sunday Box Officee |date=October 20, 2024|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=October 20, 2024}} The film then made $4.8 million its third weekend, finishing in sixth.{{Cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |date=October 28, 2024 |title='Venom: The Last Dance' Trips Stateside With $51M Opening, But Makes Up For Shortfall Abroad – Sunday AM Update|url=https://deadline.com/2024/10/box-office-venom-the-last-dance-1236158112/|access-date=October 28, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

In France, the film opened number one box office on its first day with 45,000 admissions, more than other horror films like Saw X (35,000) and Smile (33,000).{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=John |date=October 10, 2024 |title='Terrifier 3' Tops the Box Office in France With Monster Opening Day |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3835069/terrifier-3-tops-the-box-office-in-france-with-monster-opening-day/ |access-date=October 10, 2024 |website=Bloody Disgusting! |language=en-US}} In Poland, Terrifier 3 sold nearly 140,000 tickets during its opening weekend.{{cite web|url=https://mediakrytyk.pl/film/72471/terrifier-3-2024/krytycy|title=Terrifier 3 (2024) – Krytycy|publisher=Mediakrytyk|language=Polish|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20241015111030/https://mediakrytyk.pl/film/72471/terrifier-3-2024/krytycy?sortowanie=polubienia_najwiecej|archive-date=October 15, 2024|access-date=October 15, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://hisnameisdeath.wordpress.com/2024/10/15/terrifier-3-2024-recenzja/|title=Wesoła nowina – Art piłą zarzyna ('Terrifier 3', 2024)|work=His Name is Death|date=October 15, 2024|first=Albert|last=Nowicki|language=Polish|access-date=October 15, 2024|archive-date=October 15, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241015113436/https://hisnameisdeath.wordpress.com/2024/10/15/terrifier-3-2024-recenzja/|url-status=bot: unknown}} In Mexico, the film grossed $1.5 million on its opening weekend, despite being a rare D-rated film by the RTC, an equivalent to a NC-17 rated film in that country. {{Cite web |date=2024-10-27 |title=Terrifier 3: La SANGRIENTA película clasificación "D" que está horrorizando a México |trans-title=Terrifier 3: The D-rated BLOODY film that is horrorizing Mexico |url=https://www.informador.mx/entretenimiento/Terrifier-3-La-SANGRIENTA-pelicula-clasificacion-D-que-esta-horrorizando-a-Mexico-20241027-0046.html |access-date=2024-11-17 |website=El Informador |language=es}}

=Critical response=

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|78|6.4|122|Taking an axe to yuletide cheer and everything else in its path, Terrifier 3 is a bloody fantastic stocking stuffer for the holiday season.|access-date=December 31, 2024|ref=y}} {{Metacritic film prose|62|19|ref=yes|access-date=January 13, 2025}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale, while those surveyed by PostTrak gave it a 76% overall positive score, with 59% saying they would definitely recommend it.

Writing for Slant Magazine, Rocco T. Thompson described the storyline as being "half-formed" but praised the leading performances and the practical effects.{{cite web |last1=Thompson |first1=Rocco T. |title='Terrifier 3' Review: Art the Clown Gets Naughty in Christmas Massacre for the Gory Faithful |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/terrifier-3-review-damien-leone/ |website=Slant Magazine |access-date=September 22, 2024 |date=September 21, 2024 |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007224710/https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/terrifier-3-review-damien-leone/ |url-status=live }} Thompson highlighted Scaffidi's performance in particular: "it's the surprisingly spooky Victoria Heyes who emerges as the film's villain MVP, what with the overwhelming Art often playing second banana in their scenes together. Through it all, Scaffidi exudes a chilling sense of evil from beneath pounds of prosthetics." Thompson also noted that LaVera brought "emotional intensity to the narrative" in her portrayal. In a review for The Austin Chronicle, Richard Whittaker highlighted the film's continued worldbuilding, the transgressiveness of the Art character, and Victoria's expanded importance as a villain in the series.{{cite web |last1=Whittaker |first1=Richard |title=Fantastic Fest Review: Terrifier 3 |url=https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/screens/2024-09-20/fantastic-fest-review-terrifier-3/ |website=The Austin Chronicle |access-date=September 22, 2024 |date=September 20, 2024 |archive-date=September 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922022618/https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/screens/2024-09-20/fantastic-fest-review-terrifier-3/ |url-status=live }} Similarly, Matthew Jackson of The A. V. Club praised the script and the performances of Thornton and LaVera.{{cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=Matthew |title=Art the Clown kills Christmas in Terrifier 3, his best outing yet |url=https://www.avclub.com/terrifier-3-review |website=The A. V. Club |access-date=September 22, 2024 |date=September 20, 2024 |archive-date=September 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240922022613/https://www.avclub.com/terrifier-3-review |url-status=live }} Jackson stated that LaVera "cements herself as one of horror's brightest new stars with her second time out as Sienna Shaw." In a positive review for IndieWire, Alison Foreman highlighted the script as "confident and comfortable".{{cite web |last1=Foreman |first1=Alison |title='Terrifier 3' Review: Art the Clown Gets Even Naughtier in Damien Leone's Franchise-Justifying Best Movie |url=https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/terrifier-3-review-1235049668/ |website=IndieWire |access-date=October 7, 2024 |date=September 26, 2024 |archive-date=October 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005195546/https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/terrifier-3-review-1235049668/ |url-status=live }} She praised the development of both Sienna and Victoria, describing the latter as Leone's "secret weapon". Foreman states that the film gives the two characters "plenty of story to carry".

= International responses =

France's Classification Committee banned viewers under the age of 18 from seeing the film, the first time such a ban had been issued since the release of Saw III in 2006.{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=John |date=October 4, 2024 |title='Terrifier 3' Is the First Horror Movie France Has Banned Minors from Seeing Since 'Saw 3' in 2006! |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3834337/terrifier-3-is-the-first-horror-movie-france-has-banned-minors-from-seeing-since-saw-3-in-2006/ |access-date=October 7, 2024 |website=Bloody Disgusting! |language=en-US |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007225309/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3834337/terrifier-3-is-the-first-horror-movie-france-has-banned-minors-from-seeing-since-saw-3-in-2006/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Davids |first=Brian |date=October 4, 2024 |title='Terrifier 3' Director Damien Leone Gets Candid on Franchise's Success: 'More Money, More Problems Is Real' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/terrifier-3-extended-cut-1236024893/ |access-date=October 7, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=October 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006193706/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/terrifier-3-extended-cut-1236024893/ |url-status=live }} There were reports of audiences vomiting and leaving theatres after watching the film's opening scene in the United Kingdom.{{Cite web |last=McArdle |first=Tommy |date=October 4, 2024 |title=This Gory Horror Film Scene Had Viewers 'Walking Out' of U.K. Premiere and 'Vomiting' |url=https://people.com/gory-terrifier-3-opening-causes-walkouts-at-u-k-premiere-report-8723474 |access-date=October 7, 2024 |website=People |language=en |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007033404/https://people.com/gory-terrifier-3-opening-causes-walkouts-at-u-k-premiere-report-8723474 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=October 4, 2024 |title=Gory new horror film's opening scene is causing viewers to 'vomit' after watching it |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/terrifier-3-opening-scene-content-warning-b2623824.html |access-date=October 7, 2024 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=October 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241005072139/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/terrifier-3-opening-scene-content-warning-b2623824.html |url-status=live }} Two people reportedly passed out during a screening of the film in Australia.{{Cite web |last=Miska |first=Brad |date=October 7, 2024 |title='Terrifier 3' – An Eyewitness Account of Two People Passing Out at a Theater in Australia |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3834472/terrifier-3-an-eyewitness-account-of-two-people-passing-out-at-a-theater-in-australia/ |access-date=October 7, 2024 |website=Bloody Disgusting! |language=en-US |archive-date=October 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241007224815/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3834472/terrifier-3-an-eyewitness-account-of-two-people-passing-out-at-a-theater-in-australia/ |url-status=live }}

Sequel

In 2023, Damien Leone spoke about plans for a potential Terrifier 4.{{Cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/terrifier-4-possibly-end-the-franchise/|title=Terrifier 2 Creator Says Terrifier 4 Will Possibly End the Art the Clown Saga|website=MovieWeb|first=Anthony|last=Lund|date=February 3, 2023|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-date=September 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903213932/https://movieweb.com/terrifier-4-possibly-end-the-franchise/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://movieweb.com/terrifier-3-poster-christmas-horror-movie/|title=Terrifier 3 Poster Reveals Sequel Is a Christmas Horror Movie|website=MovieWeb|first=Jonathan|last=Fuge|date=October 27, 2023|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-date=November 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107202935/https://movieweb.com/terrifier-3-poster-christmas-horror-movie/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/terrifier-4-franchise-end-director-response/|title=Will Terrifier 4 End The Viral Horror Franchise? Director Isn't Sure Yet (But Has Ending In Mind)|website=Screen Rant|first=Grant|last=Hermanns|date=November 1, 2023|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-date=November 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105121008/https://screenrant.com/terrifier-4-franchise-end-director-response/|url-status=live}} In September 2024, Leone officially confirmed that Terrifier 4 is in development.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fangoria.com/terrifier-4-announced/|title=Rejoice! TERRIFIER 4 Is Officially Happening|website=Fangoria|first=Ryan|last=Scott|date=September 20, 2024|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-date=September 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920163630/https://www.fangoria.com/terrifier-4-announced/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/terrifier-4-movie-damien-leone-1236151992/|title='Terrifier 4' Confirmed by Creator Damien Leone|website=Variety|first=Emiliana|last=Betancourt|date=September 20, 2024|access-date=September 20, 2024|archive-date=September 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920224634/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/terrifier-4-movie-damien-leone-1236151992/|url-status=live}} Although originally intended to be the conclusion of the franchise,{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/horror-movies/terrifier-creator-weighs-in-on-the-future-of-the-gory-horror-franchise-my-big-fear-is-of-going-on-too-long-and-wearing-out-my-welcome/#:~:text=Terrifier%203-,Terrifier%20creator%20weighs%20in%20on%20the%20future%20of%20the%20gory,and%20wearing%20out%20my%20welcome%22|work=GamesRadar / SFX Magazine|title=Terrifier creator weighs in on the future of the gory horror franchise: "My big fear is of going on too long and wearing out my welcome"|author=Edwards, Molly & Darren Scott|date=September 28, 2024|accessdate=October 3, 2024}} in October 2024, Leone clarified his comments of Terrifier 4 likely being the final film, stating the announcement was a bit “premature” and was uncertain whether the conclusion of the franchise would span over one or two more films.https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/terrifier-4-damien-leone-franchise-ending-comments/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/terrifier-4-damien-leone-teases-end-horror-franchise-1236177854/ https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/horror-movies/terrifier-director-damien-leone-already-knows-how-the-franchise-will-end-but-says-it-might-take-two-more-movies-to-finish-it-completely/ On January 29th 2025, Damien Leone posted on his social media that Terrifier 4 will mark the end of the franchise and fans would learn more about Art's backstory and activities before the first film.{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3852604/terrifier-4-will-reveal-art-the-clowns-origin-in-emotional-and-satisfying-conclusion-to-the-saga/|work=Bloody Disgusting|title=‘Terrifier 4’ Will Reveal Art the Clown’s Origin in “Emotional and Satisfying Conclusion” to the Saga|author=DiVincenzo, Alex|date=January 29, 2025|accessdate=January 31, 2025}}