Oren Peli’s micro-budget horror hit Paranormal Activity has crossed $100m at the North American box office, the film’s distributor Paramount announced last night [12].

The news confirms the $15,000 film’s status as one of the most profitable releases of all time, echoing the breakaway success of The Blair Witch Project a decade ago.

IM Global sold out international rights and is handling worldwide sales on Peli’s follow-up, Area 51. CAA co-represents North American rights and it is understood a domestic deal is close to being announced.

Paranormal Activity started its theatrical life with midnight-only screenings in 12 college towns across the US and expanded nationally through a campaign devised by Paramount’s online marketing executive Amy Powell that allowed audiences to demand via the internet that the film screen in their local theatres.

The studio received more than one million demands and claimed Paranormal Activity has now become the top grossing R-rated thriller of the past ten years.

“What is truly amazing about Paranormal Activity is the depth of commitment from fans who demanded to see it,” Paramount chairman and CEO Brad Grey said. “Adam Goodman, our head of production, believed in the film and championed it from the very first screening.”

Micah Sloat and Katie Featherston play as a couple who buy a video camera to record a haunting in their apartment, Jason Blum produced and Steven Schneider served as executive producer.

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