"Q1 has long functioned as a graveyard for the genre, where studios quietly offload their nastiest programming misfires, pushing through contractual obligations before movie season can fully spring forward."
"A crowning jewel among several big hits with critics, director Nia DaCosta's soul-shaking '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' swung for the fences creatively, even as it struggled to theatrically recoup massive production costs."
"Although the quality of the films themselves often exceeded expectations, the box office told a more complicated story, with big bets not always paying off and horror seeing a dip in profitability compared to last year."
"'Scream 7' set a new franchise record at Paramount, once again proving horror IP can be a serious tentpole affair, even amid controversy."
Historically, Q1 has been a dumping ground for subpar horror films, but 2026 defied expectations with several quality releases. While some films like 'Return to Silent Hill' disappointed, others, including '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' and indie hits like 'Iron Lung,' showcased artistic creativity despite financial struggles. However, box office results were mixed, with some high-budget films failing to recoup costs, while 'Scream 7' achieved franchise success, highlighting the complexities of horror's profitability in this quarter.
Read at IndieWire
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]