Paranormal Activity Scares Up $100 Million

The indie horror flick cost only $15,000 to make

Who needs Decepticons, CGI or motion-capture when you've got slamming doors, billowing sheets and a handheld camera?

Paranormal Activity has passed the $100 million mark at the U.S. box office, making it, dollar for dollar, the biggest cinematic success story of 2009.

Sure, it's no Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen-size $400 million, but Michael Bay's special-effects extravaganza required at least $200 million to make everything go boom.

Paranormal Activity, which features five unknowns and a demonic presence, cost $15,000 to make. That's T-H-O-U-S-A-N-D.

The goosebump-inducing (albeit a tad overhyped) horror flick spent its opening weekend playing in 12 theaters total, before hurling into wide release Oct. 16.

The film masquerading as found footage is also the fifth-highest-grossing R-rated film of '09, trailing only The Hangover, Inglourious Basterds, District 9 and Watchmen—and only $19 million separates it from the No. 2 spot.

"What is truly amazing about Paranormal Activity is the depth of commitment from fans who demanded to see it," said Paramount Pictures chief executive Brad Grey. "All of us at Paramount are proud to have been involved with his revolutionary project."