In 1973, 'The Exorcist' proved that blockbusters didn't just belong in the summer. Released the day after Christmas, it became a cultural phenomenon, with people standing in snow for hours to see it. It was so intense that some theaters provided 'Exorcist barf bags.' It became the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time for decades (unadjusted). Its success demonstrated that horror, when treated as a prestige production with high-caliber acting (Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow), could attract a massive mainstream audience. It remains one of the few horror films to ever be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar, changing the industry's respect for the genre.