Friday the 13th: First Two Movies Return to Theaters This Week

Friday the 13th: First Two Movies Return to Theaters This Week

As the clock strikes midnight, a chilling sense of anticipation fills the air. You’re at Regal Cinemas, surrounded by fellow fans, waiting for the iconic opening notes of horror. This Friday the 13th promises to revive the classic fears that first gripped audiences decades ago.

On this fateful day, Regal Cinemas is inviting horror aficionados to experience the original Friday the 13th films on the big screen. With runtimes slightly over 90 minutes each, it seems like they’re encouraging viewers to binge-watch both back-to-back. One location revealed that screenings for Friday Part I will kick off between 6 and 7:30 PM, followed by Friday Part II starting after 9 or 10 PM. With a total viewing time of just over two hours, it’s a perfect opportunity for die-hard fans to immerse themselves in the eerie world of Crystal Lake.

While neither film garnered rave reviews upon their release—Friday Part I in 1980 and Friday Part II in 1981—both films made waves at the box office. The first installment raked in an impressive $59.8 million, whereas its sequel earned $21.7 million. They might not have garnered critical acclaim, but there’s no denying their significance, introducing us to nightmare figures Pamela and Jason Voorhees, who continue to haunt our cinematic landscape.

What Can Fans Expect from the Friday Movies?

It’s like stepping into a time machine; the charm of retro horror is alive and well. With A24 developing the Crystal Lake prequel series for Peacock, there’s a renewed interest in these classics. Although there’s no release date yet, Regal is teasing a “something big” event for November’s Friday the 13th. As the first longform piece of Friday media in years, fans are eager to lose themselves in the updated lore of Jason and Pamela.

What Is the History Behind Friday the 13th?

The origins of this franchise are as layered as a slasher’s mask. Starting in the early 1980s, horror was reinvented to reflect the era’s anxieties, and Friday the 13th played a pivotal role. While it didn’t win every critical battle, its cultural impact is undeniable, echoing through the decades as a hallmark of cinematic horror.

Why Is the Slasher Genre So Enduring?

In an age where streaming dominates, the allure of the theater experience still pulls us in. Watching slasher films in a packed auditorium offers a collective thrill, a shared heartbeat in the face of on-screen terror. They’re psychological dances of fear that keep you guessing, ensuring the slasher genre remains vibrant.

So why not gather your fellow horror enthusiasts and indulge in this cinematic plunge back into one of the genre’s most iconic roots? Are you ready to confront the legends of Crystal Lake once more?