This document analyzes the success of recent thriller films. It finds that while thrillers may have a more niche audience than other genres like comedy or drama, some thrillers like The Martian and Maze Runner were very successful financially. The Martian succeeded due to the popularity of its science fiction themes and famous actors. Maze Runner's sequel did not meet expectations set by the original, but its marketing still drove audiences to see it. Jurassic World found widespread acclaim due to nostalgia for the original Jurassic Park films and appealing to a broad audience with its action and dinosaur themes. Blending elements from popular genres helps thrillers attract a larger target audience. This analysis of successful thriller films will help inform the creation of

1. Market
Research
Thriller Success

2. Introduction
 Within this research I will be analysing the success
of thriller films over the past few years. This is
important as this will allow me an insight of the size,
popularity, and success of the thriller genre within
the film market. This will help me when it comes to
creating my own thriller piece as I will be aware of
the competition, enabling me to create a film that
will be successfully received by the thriller
audience of today, by using previous successful
films as a guideline for plot and narrative, as well
as avoiding a concept that has already be made.
Allowing for a fresh and unique selling point as my
piece will differ from others already within the
market.

3. How successful they are in terms of box office
profit, ratings and critical acclaim?
 After locating a list of the top
grossing films of 2015, I have
discovered that thriller films
are not the most successful
genre. This is because the
dominating films seem to be
either of a comedy, drama of
action genre. This suggests
that for thriller, the market is
slightly smaller. However from
the list is can be seen that
thrillers such as The Martian
and Maze Runner The Scorch
Trials were highly successful.
This suggests that although
thriller may appeal to a more
specific audience, due to the
higher age ratings and
content that may not appeal
to all, the genre can succeed
against its competition.

4. Why do you think they were a success?
The Martian
 I believe that the thriller The Martian was successful within the market due to the popularity
of the genre of and themes: these being Science Fiction, fantasy, thriller/suspense as well as
the famous actors featured within the film.
 For example, according to the review website Rotten Tomatoes, the actor Matt Damon was
well received by the audience as well as the director Ridley Scott who was described as
“bring[ing] out the best” of the actors. Therefore, I believe that as well as the genre the film
was also successful due to the attraction of fans of the actors within the piece as well as the
genre and narrative, resulting in the highly successful audience and reviewer score of 93%
revealing the films almost complete success.

5. Maze Runner The Scorch Trials
 Despite being within the top 30 films in box-office, the feedback from the audience and
critics were in stark contrast to its high position. Therefore, i believe that the reason for this is
due to the raised expectations of the film, due to the success of its predecessor; Maze
Runner. This raised the anticipation for the sequel and compelled its audiences to watch the
film based upon assumptions gained from the last. However, from the rather poor reviews
from both the audience and critics, such as rotten tomatoes who issued a 49% out of 100% it
can be seen that the success of the sequel in term of audience appeal is very low and did
not meet the expectations left by its predecessor.
 However, although the film itself was not highly received, this does reveal that the success of
a film can also depend on its reputation and how it is advertised to the public, as from its
success in viewings, the marketing for the film must have been rather successful, convincing
audiences to watch the film.

6. Jurassic World
 Jurassic World was highly received by both its audience and by professional critic, being issued a 70% out of 100%
by Rotten tomatoes. This success in both appealing to the target audience as well as placing 1st in the top grossing
films of 2015 I believe was partly due to the large success of the original films: Jurassic Park. This is because this
would have raised anticipation for a remake within the audience, forming a desire to discover whether this new film
is as good as the classics. As well as this anticipation, I believe that the genres within the film also contributed to its
success. This is because action is one of the top 10 moist popular genres, meaning that the target audience for the
film would have been rather vast. Also, the themes within the film such as history, attraction and dinosaurs are all
themes that would appeal to both a old and younger audience and also brings a rather unique film to the market,
as not many films are based upon archaeology or dinosaurs in such a unique way. Therefore, suggesting there to
have been a gap in the market for such a film, which would also have contributed to its success.

7. Who were the audience?
 The popularity and success of these films were also due to the vastness and versatility of
the target audience. For example, the Martian, containing elements of: science fiction,
thriller and action are all genres that fit within the top 10 most popular genres. This
reveals that in order to appeal to a vast target audience it is useful to apply elements
from other genres rather than focusing solely upon one. This will help me when it comes
to creating my own thriller opening sequence as i will be able to use this new found
knowledge to perhaps apply genres that link and compliment my leading genre of
thriller well. For example, drama or action, as these will help to appeal to a wider target
audience however not deviate too far from my thriller focus within the piece.

8. Conclusion
 In conclusion after researching the Market surrounding
films, I now have a developed understanding of the
success of thriller films within the industry as well as the ways
in which such films can become a success. This will help me
when it comes to creating my opening sequence for a
thriller film as I can apply the successful techniques used
within these established piece in order to create a fresh,
and successful thriller piece, which will suitably appeal to a
target audience of today. Also, from thus research I now
understand what is within the market and where there is
room for something new, this means that when formulating
our ideas, for narrative, character and plot we well be able
to create a piece that is unique to other thrillers of today,
whilst still retaining some of the charm and features that
makes them so successfully received by the target
audience.