On This Day in Horror History: M. Night Shyamalan Absolutely SLAYED the Big Screen!

August, a month typically recognized as the theatrical wasteland is proving to be a far more interesting month than I’d imagined. And this day, August 2^nd, just completely supports the idea that maybe August isn’t so bad, after all.

32 years ago (1985) Fright Night landed in theaters. The picture debuted in the number three spot, but it exited theaters having made approximately $25 million. No word on the film’s official budget, but $25 million in 1985 sure wasn’t too shabby, especially given the tremendous success the film enjoyed on home video! Interestingly enough, it was the classic sci-fi/coming of age classic, Weird Science that trailed directly behind Fright Night.

18 years ago, in 1999, M. Night Shyamalan had his first breakout hit with The Sixth Sense. The film not only garnered enormous praise, it also killed at the box office. It opened at number one, with an opening weekend take of $26 million, sliding right by The Blair Witch Project, who sat in the number two position. The Sixth Sense would go on to earn $672 million worldwide.

Three years after the release of The Sixth Sense, Shyamalan’s next crackler, Signs arrive in theaters. While Signs didn’t recapture the complete success of The Sixth Sense, it was an exceptionally successful piece of work. The film debuted in the top box office slot, and eventually racked up a very respectable $408 million worldwide. Who said Shyamalan only had one hit?

A few other films that arrived on this day that you just might be familiar with include The Eyes of Laura Mars, Body Parts, Hollow Man and The Others.