The Babadook, a South Australian horror movie that failed to make a dent in the Australian market, is faring much better internationally.

The film is the first multi-million-dollar production from the new South Australian Film Corporation studios in Adelaide.

Its Australian box office takings totalled just $250,000.

However, it was a different story in France, where The Babadook opened at number 11 on the top movies list and passed the Australian mark in just four days.

The Babadook, a psychological horror starring Essie Davis, tells the story of a woman struggling to recover from the violent death of her husband.

Producer Kristian Moliere said it had a wide release in France for an Australian film.

"It opened on 150 screens ... and more people saw it in the first four days than in the entire Australian release," Mr Moliere said.

It will open in the United Kingdom in two weeks, showing at 150 cinemas across the country, before its American debut in late November.

Mr Moliere said the box office returns and reviews internationally should see producers make a profit.

"We're already starting to see a return to our investors, like the Film Corporation and Screen Australia, which in itself is a rare thing, so we are on track to make a profit on this film," Mr Moliere said.

"The horror audience is still huge internationally and horror films tend to do much better in international markets - the US, UK, and France in particular.

"It just seems they don't really get a good run here in Australia, which is unfortunate, but they do do exceptionally well on DVD."

Mr Moliere said local filmmakers could have a hard time breaking into the Australian market.

"Australian films have to spend a lot of money to find their audience," he said.

"It's been tough, but I know everyone in the industry is feeling really hopeful about the films that are coming out next year and towards the end of the year.

"Australian audiences have proven they embrace Australian stories on television and good Australian films do find their audiences.

"It may not be in the cinema, but in secondary audiences like television and DVD."