As a long-time horror enthusiast who has braved countless chilling cinema experiences through the years, I can confidently say that the first weekend of January has become my favorite time to catch a frightening feature. The atmospheric chill in the air and the sparse competition make it an ideal setting for horror movies to thrive.
The trend began with “The Devil Inside” back in 2012, which proved that even a modestly budgeted horror film could rake in massive profits during this period. Since then, we’ve seen a slew of successful horror releases on the first weekend of January, from “Texas Chainsaw 3D” to “Insidious: The Last Key,” each one capitalizing on the unique factors that make this time of year so perfect for scary movies.
Now, I eagerly await the next horror gem that will grace our screens during this chilly and dreary period, be it a reboot or an original tale that promises to send shivers down our spines. And as I huddle in my seat, clutching a blanket tightly while watching the latest offering, I can’t help but chuckle at the irony: here we are, seeking comfort and warmth in the theater during the coldest month of the year – and finding it in the scariest way possible.
In 2017, films like “Get Out” and “IT” revolutionized the horror genre, demonstrating to Hollywood that horror films could be financially successful throughout the year, not just during specific periods. As a result, horror movies such as “Nope” can now open in prime mid-July slots, while “Nosferatu” has proven successful with a Christmas Day premiere. It seems that people enjoy being scared at the cinema regardless of the time of year.
In recent years, notably since the early 2010s, the beginning of January has emerged as a particularly profitable time to debut horror movies. For instance, as recently as January 2023 with the release of “M3gan”, this trend has been evident. It seems that Hollywood favors launching horror films among the initial wide releases of the year, but the reason for this approach is unclear. So, where did this release strategy originate?
The Devil (Inside) You Know Is Responsible for Early January Horror Movies
For decades, some horror films had their premieres during the first week of January. However, it was the low-budget Paramount Pictures film titled “The Devil Inside” from 2012 that marked a modern resurgence in movies launching at this time. Unfortunately, this movie is mainly remembered for receiving an unflattering “F” CinemaScore and the plot coming to a sudden halt to direct viewers to a web address that no longer exists. While horror films can tolerate many things, being used as an advertisement for a non-functional website isn’t one of them.
Nevertheless, the film “The Devil Inside” benefited significantly from an effective marketing strategy, which commenced during the run of another Paramount horror hit titled “Paranormal Activity 3”. Notably, it was the first major horror release in several weeks when it premiered on January 6, 2012. The audience’s initial enthusiasm propelled it to a staggering $33-million domestic opening weekend. However, the movie quickly plummeted following its first three days due to negative word of mouth. Despite this, it only accumulated $53.29 million domestically, but considering its production budget was just $1 million, it proved highly profitable for Paramount soon after its premiere.
Films such as “The Devil Inside” often thrive during early January, as the eerie ambiance of this season provides an ideal backdrop. Studios typically save their major releases for other months, given January’s reputation for underperforming newcomers. This lack of competition from fresh releases makes it easier for horror films to debut in the first weekend of January. Furthermore, the gloomy and cold weather that follows New Year’s can stir a desire among viewers for something chilling and eerie. So, instead of battling the dismal weather, why not indulge in a spine-tingling movie that mirrors these aspects of winter reality?
What Other Early January Horror Hits Are Out There?
After the release of “The Devil Inside”, movie studios quickly seized an opportunity for a successful horror genre, launching numerous films in the following years. For instance, “Texas Chainsaw 3D”, “Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones”, and “The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death” were all premiered in January of 2013, 2014, and 2015 respectively. “Insidious: The Last Key” made a significant earnings of $29.58 million within this period in 2018, while “Escape Room” achieved a successful opening weekend in 2019.
Two months prior to theaters closing due to COVID-19, the reboot of The Grudge from 2020 debuted during the weekend of January 3-5, 2020, earning a similar “F” CinemaScore as The Devil Inside did eight years before. When theaters resumed operation, it was M3GAN that resurrected the beginning of January as a successful launchpad for horror films in January 6-8, 2023. Now, a spinoff titled Soulm8te is slated to start things off in January 2026.
2024 saw the addition of “Night Swim” to the canon, demonstrating that not every horror movie debuting during the first weekend of January will automatically become a blockbuster. A strong marketing strategy and an intriguing storyline are essential for drawing audiences to the theater. If you have these elements in place, then January can be an excellent time to release a horror film, especially with certain real-world factors helping boost its visibility.
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2025-01-04 23:09