Production Budget Analysis

What was the production budget for HIM?

Directed by Justin Tipping, with Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers, Julia Fox leading the cast, HIM was produced by Monkeypaw Productions with a confirmed budget of $27,000,000, placing it in the low-budget category for horror films.

At $27,000,000, HIM was produced on a modest budget. Lower-budget films benefit from reduced break-even thresholds, with profitability achievable at approximately $67,500,000.

Budget Comparison — Similar Productions

• Fight Valley (2016): Budget $27,000,000 | Gross N/A • Crimes of the Future (2022): Budget $27,000,000 | Gross $4,551,565 → ROI: -83% • Annabelle Comes Home (2019): Budget $27,000,000 | Gross $231,252,591 → ROI: 756% • Dear Evan Hansen (2021): Budget $27,500,000 | Gross $19,133,454 → ROI: -30% • Agent Cody Banks (2003): Budget $28,000,000 | Gross $58,795,814 → ROI: 110%

Key Budget Allocation Categories

▸ Practical Effects, Prosthetics & Makeup Horror productions invest disproportionately in practical effects — prosthetic applications, animatronics, blood and gore effects, and creature suits. A single hero creature suit can cost $50,000–200,000.

▸ Atmospheric Production Design & Cinematography Creating dread through environment is essential. Abandoned locations must be secured and dressed, lighting rigs designed for shadow and tension, and sets built to enable specific camera movements and reveals.

▸ Sound Design & Score Horror is arguably the most sound-dependent genre. Foley work, ambient textures, frequency manipulation, and jump-scare stingers require specialized sound designers working with unconventional techniques.

Key Production Personnel

CAST: Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers, Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies Key roles: Marlon Wayans as Isaiah; Tyriq Withers as Cam; Julia Fox as Elsie; Tim Heidecker as Tom

DIRECTOR: Justin Tipping CINEMATOGRAPHY: Kira Kelly MUSIC: Bobby Krlic EDITING: Taylor Mason PRODUCTION: Monkeypaw Productions, Universal Pictures FILMED IN: United States of America, Japan

Box Office Performance

HIM earned $24,936,390 domestically and $2,898,122 internationally, for a worldwide total of $27,834,512. The film skewed heavily domestic (90%), suggesting strong North American appeal.

Break-Even Analysis

Using the industry-standard 2.5x multiplier (P&A + exhibitor shares of 40–50% + distribution fees), HIM needed approximately $67,500,000 to break even. The film fell $39,665,488 short in theatrical revenue. Ancillary streams (home media, streaming, TV) may have bridged the gap.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Revenue: $27,834,512 Budget: $27,000,000 Net: $834,512 ROI: 3.1%

Profitability Assessment

VERDICT: Modestly Profitable

HIM earned $27,834,512 against a $27,000,000 budget (3% ROI). Full profitability was likely achieved through ancillary revenue streams.

INDUSTRY IMPACT

PRODUCTION NOTES

▸ Filming & Locations

Principal photography was completed by November 2024. It was filmed on location in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico. Spaceport America was used as an exterior location.

[Filming] Principal photography was completed by November 2024. It was filmed on location in and around Albuquerque, New Mexico. Spaceport America was used as an exterior location.

▸ Music & Score

Bobby Krlic had composed the score for the film by April 2025. On September 4, 2025, "Swim" by Guapdad 4000 and Mavi, and "Tip Toe" by Tierra Whack were released as singles from the soundtrack. The soundtrack's fourth single, "Him" by Denzel Curry, was released on September 18, 2025. The soundtrack released on September 19, 2025, alongside the film.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Summary: 1 nomination total

CRITICAL RECEPTION

Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "C−" on an A+ to F scale. Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter, gave a mixed review and wrote, "The performers give it their all, with Withers impressively handling the intense physicality of his role and Wayans effectively intimidating as the football legend whose prowess isn’t purely natural... But by the time it gets to the truly baroque, extremely gory final act that will leave audience members either hooting in delight or shaking their heads in derision, Him has long since gone off the rails."