January isn’t usually a big month for movie theaters, with only two films ever opening to over $60 million domestically during that month: Bad Boys for Life and American Sniper. Business typically slows down after the busy holiday season. This year, 2026, started off slow, as recent releases like 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple and Mercy didn’t perform as well as hoped. This weekend, a new horror film, Send Help, directed by Sam Raimi, is hoping to change things and could potentially break some box office records.
According to Variety, the new horror film Send Help is expected to earn between $14 and $17 million in its opening weekend in the US and Canada. If it performs well and reaches the higher end of those predictions, it could have the biggest opening weekend of any horror movie directed by Sam Raimi, surpassing the $15.8 million earned by Drag Me to Hell in 2009. Send Help is also projected to bring in $10 to $12 million internationally, suggesting a strong start for the film.
Can Send Help Exceed Box Office Projections?
While horror movies surprised audiences with strong box office numbers last year, the recent release of The Bone Temple didn’t follow that pattern. Predictions estimated a $22 million opening weekend over the holiday, but the film only made a little over $14 million. This shows that even after a successful year for horror with movies like Sinners, Weapons, and The Conjuring: Last Rites, not every horror movie is a hit.
It was surprising when The Bone Temple first came out and received such good reviews, especially since it didn’t attract many moviegoers. Now, it will be interesting to see if positive buzz affects Send Help‘s performance. Critics are loving Send Help, giving it one of the highest scores of director Sam Raimi’s career. They’re particularly praising the acting by Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, and Raimi’s return to classic horror style. While good reviews should help Send Help succeed, The Bone Temple showed us that critical acclaim doesn’t always translate to ticket sales.
The main difference is that Send Help feels like a more traditional horror movie compared to The Bone Temple. While the 28 Days Later series is well-regarded by critics, it appeals to a smaller audience. Send Help, on the other hand, takes a creative idea and uses well-known actors to attract a wider viewership. Some have noted that Send Help cleverly plays with what viewers expect, but it generally seems like a more accessible and enjoyable genre film that’s worth seeing in theaters.
The weather is also playing a role in how well movies are doing. The opening weekend for Mercy was lower than expected, partly because a big winter storm hit the East Coast. More snow is predicted this weekend, which could affect ticket sales. If people are stuck at home, they won’t be able to go to the movies, even if Send Help is on their list of films to see. Luckily, Send Help didn’t cost much to make – just $40 million – so it doesn’t need to be a huge hit to make money.
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2026-01-28 22:10