January is generally considered a dumping month when studios unload movies that they don’t have a lot of faith in, although some incredible horror films stand in the face of this supposition. While awards season tends to give accolades to films released toward the end of the year, some truly astounding horror movies have carved out impressive legacies despite coming out during January. Plenty of cult classics, surprise hits, and under-the-radar triumphs have proven that January isn’t a lost cause for releases.
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Some of the best horrors ever made were surprisingly released in January and defied the longstanding idea that this was a bad time to put out a scary movie. It’s often good to go against the grain and take audiences by surprise during a release window that’s generally quiet when it comes to horror movies. It should also be noted that all following release dates relate to the movie’s wide theatrical release in the United States and some of these films may have premiered outside of January on the film festival circuit or in other regions.
You are watching: 10 Great Horror Movies That Prove January Isn’t A Lost Cause For Releases
10
Mama (2013)
Released: 18 January 2013
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Mama
r
HorrorThriller
Mama is the 2013 feature-length adaptation of Andy Muschietti’s horror short film of the same name. It follows a pair of little girls, Victoria and Lilly, who get adopted by a supernatural spirit. When their uncle Lucas (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and his girlfriend Annabel (Jessica Chastain) intervene, they realize that helping the feral children is no easy task.
Release Date
February 21, 2013
Runtime
100 Minutes
Cast
Jessica Chastain
, Isabelle Nélisse
, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Director
Andres Muschietti
Writers
Andres Muschietti
Budget
$15 million
Studio(s)
Universal Pictures
Distributor(s)
Universal Pictures
Expand
There’s a lot riding on a filmmaker’s directorial debut, as they have yet to prove themselves with a successful feature film, which may have influenced the decision to release Andy Muschietti’s Mama in January. This supernatural story was based on Muschietti’s 2008 Argentine short film Mamá and followed two girls abandoned in a forest cabin who were fostered by an unknown entity they called “Mama.” This otherworldly presence followed the girls to their new suburban home after their uncle took them in.
Mama was a surprise hit at the box office that took in over $148 million (via The Numbers) against its $15 million budget and helped prove that January was not just a dumping ground for disposable films. With a creepy presence that valued old-school scares over cheap gore, Mama recalled classic ghost stories and kept viewers on the edge of their seats. This early success for Muschietti opened the door to big-budget projects as he directed the Stephen King adaptations It and It Chapter Two and broke into the superhero genre with The Flash.
9
Body Snatchers (1994)
Released: January 14, 1994
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Body Snatchers
R
HorrorSci-Fi
Body Snatchers is a 1993 science fiction horror film, directed by Abel Ferrara and based on Jack Finney’s novel The Body Snatchers. The story follows an Environmental Protection Agency agent and his family, who uncover a chilling alien invasion in a small military town, where humans are being replaced by emotionless duplicates. The film stars Gabrielle Anwar, Meg Tilly, and Forest Whitaker.
Release Date
February 18, 1994
Main Genre
Horror
Cast
Gabrielle Anwar
, Meg Tilly
, Terry Kinney
, Reilly Murphy
, Billy Wirth
, Christine Elise
, R. Lee Ermey
, Kathleen Doyle
Director
Abel Ferrara
Writers
Jack Finney
, Raymond Cistheri
, Larry Cohen
, Stuart Gordon
, Dennis Paoli
, Nicholas St. John
There have been plenty of adaptations of the 1955 novel The Body Snatchers by Jack Finney, a story that captured the paranoid society out of which it was produced. One of the best versions of this story was the 1994 release Body Snatchers, which told of a military base where soldiers were being replaced by perfect physical imitations grown from plantlike pods. With an utter lack of emotion, these sinister doppelgängers began to take over.
While the original story was written in the wake of McCarthyism and the fear of communism, Body Snatchers played out as a criticism of conformity within the military and the dangers of a herd mentality. With social and economic relevance, Body Snatchers was a deeply layered film that questioned war and military life. Featuring great characterization and a strong sense of dread, those who loved the 1950s classic film Invasion of the Body Snatchers should be sure to check out this version.
8
Split (2017)
Released: January 20, 2017
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Split
PG-13
HorrorThriller
Split is a psychological thriller directed by M. Night Shyamalan, featuring James McAvoy as Kevin, a man with 23 distinct personalities. As a new dominant personality emerges, Kevin abducts three girls, including the perceptive Casey, leading to a tense struggle for survival against his own inner turmoil.
Release Date
January 19, 2017
Runtime
117 minutes
Cast
James McAvoy
, Anya Taylor-Joy
, Betty Buckley
, Haley Lu Richardson
, Jessica Sula
, Izzie Coffey
, Brad William Henke
, Sebastian Arcelus
, Neal Huff
, Ukee Washington
, Robert Michael Kelly
, M. Night Shyamalan
, Rosemary Howard
, Lyne Renee
, Peter Patrikios
, Kash Goins
, Roy James Wilson
, Christopher Lee Philips
, Julie Potter
, Nakia Dillard
, Robin Rieger
, Emlyn McFarland
, Dann Fink
, Bruce Winant
, Bruce Willis
Character(s)
Kevin Wendell Crumb
, Casey Cooke
, Karen Fletcher
, Claire Benoit
, Marcia
, Five-Year-Old Casey
, Uncle John
, Casey’s Father
, Mr. Benoit
, News Anchor
, Joe
, Jai, Hooters Lover
, Kevin’s Mother
, Academic Moderator
, Taxi driver
, Flower Kiosk Worker
, Security Guy with Dog
, Older Worker
, Paramedic
, Police Officer #2
, Television Reporter
, Diner Waitress
, Game Show Contestant (voice)
, Game Show Host (Voice)
, David Dunn (uncredited)
Director
M. Night Shyamalan
Expand
The filmography of M. Night Shyamalan has been notoriously uneven, as studios were never sure if they had a major hit or a flop on their hands. While Shyamalan broke through with classic releases like The Sixth Sense, the widely derided failure of movies like his adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender meant he sometimes found his films being released in the cinematic graveyard of the month of January. While Shyamalan recaptured the excitement of his earlier career with the found-footage hit The Visit in 2015, this was not enough to grant his next film, Split, a better release date.
However, Split continued Shyamalan’s late-career resurgence as James McAvoy gave an astounding performance in this sinister story of sociopathic schizophrenia and split personalities. Split’s success even led to a sequel titled Glass, which brought together characters from Shyamalan’s earlier release, Unbreakable. Together, all these films make an incredible trilogy that encapsulates both the early and later stages of the director’s output.
7
Scream (2022)
Released: January 14, 2022
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8/10
Scream
R
HorrorMysteryThriller
The 2022 incarnation of Scream is the fifth entry in the franchise, set twenty-five years after the brutal murders caused by Billy Loomis and Stu Macher shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro. Now a new killer has donned the Ghostface mask and has begun targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town’s deadly past. Following the prior killers’ footsteps, a new Ghostface attacks a high school student named Tara Carpenter. When her sister learns of the attack, she returns and meets with Tara’s old friend group to check on her. However, Ghostface strikes again when they visit the hospital, forcing them to partner with series regulars Dewey Riley, Sidney Prescott, and Gale Weathers to discover the truth behind the original Woodsboro murders and stop the new copycats.
Release Date
January 14, 2022
Runtime
114 minutes
Main Genre
Horror
Franchise(s)
Scream
Cast
Neve Campbell
, Courteney Cox
, David Arquette
, Melissa Barrera
, Jack Quaid
, Mikey Madison
, Jenna Ortega
Director
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin
, Tyler Gillett
Writers
Guy Busick
, James Vanderbilt
Prequel(s)
Scream 3
, Scream 2
, Scream 4
Budget
24 million
Studio(s)
Disney
Distributor(s)
Disney
Expand
The Scream franchise is one of the most successful and recognizable properties in all of horror and has had many sequels and even a television anthology spin-off. The Scream movies from director Wes Craven acted as metacommentaries on the very nature of horror films, with each installment satirizing the nature of sequels and trilogies. In honor of this legacy, the 2022 reboot of Scream acted as a clever commentary on legacy sequels, reboots, and the current state of horror in Hollywood.
As the first film in the series not directed by Craven, who sadly passed away in 2015, Scream carried forward the franchise legacy while paying tribute to the movies of the past. With the trio of Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette back for another showdown with Ghostface, Scream also acted as a passing of the torch to a new, younger crop of actors. While it may not have had the same lasting impact as the original movies, Scream was a clever, tongue-in-cheek reboot that pleased longtime viewers.
6
Tremors (1990)
Released: January 19, 1990
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Tremors
ComedySci-Fi & Fantasy
Tremors (2018) continues the saga with the return of the prehistoric subterranean creatures known as Graboids to the town of Perfection, Nevada, 25 years after the original events.
Release Date
May 1, 2018
Runtime
40 minutes
Cast
Kevin Bacon
, Toks Olagundoye
, Hunter Parrish
, P.J. Byrne
, Megan Ketch
Character(s)
Valentine ‘Val’ McKee
, Jessica Florence
, Arthur
, Melvin Plug
, Mindy
Director
Vincenzo Natali
Although Steven Spielberg’s Jaws signaled a watershed moment in the history of Hollywood and the dawning of the summer blockbuster, the similar monster movie Tremors was given a January release. This thrilling horror about a group fighting for survival against giant, prehistoric, worm-like monsters hungry for human flesh was a hit with critics and was hailed for its diverse cast and sense of humor. As the beginning of a major franchise with six direct-to-video sequels, although Tremors may never have been the biggest box office draw, it still carved out an astounding legacy.
Tremors played out as a great throwback to creature features of the 1950s while taking on many of the lessons learned by the litany of Jaws ripoffs released since 1975. With a low-key, B-movie energy, Tremors became a cult classic as its blend of action, comedy, and horror struck a chord with viewers. As one of Kevin Bacon’s most underrated movies, there was a lot to love about Tremors.
5
Scanners (1981)
Released: January 14, 1981
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Scanners
R
Horror Sci-FiThriller
Scanners is a science fiction horror film directed by David Cronenberg. Released in 1981, the movie centers around individuals with telepathic and telekinetic abilities known as scanners. It follows a man with these abilities who is recruited to hunt down a rogue scanner leading a rebel faction. The film stars Stephen Lack, Jennifer O’Neill, and Michael Ironside, blending psychological tension with intense action sequences.
Release Date
January 14, 1981
Runtime
103 minutes
Cast
Michael Ironside
, Jennifer O’Neill
, Stephen Lack
, Lawrence Dane
, Patrick McGoohan
Director
David Cronenberg
Writers
David Cronenberg
Budget
$14.2 million
Expand
Canadian director David Cronenberg has produced some of the best body horror the world has ever seen and ranks among the finest filmmakers of all time. With a unique sense of style, Cronenberg’s earlier movies, like Scanners, leaned into his fascination with psychology and the darkest sides of human nature. As one of Cronenberg’s first movies to make an impact outside of his home country, Scanners was an important addition to his filmography that stood in the face of the idea that January is a lost cause for horror releases.
Not only did Scanners introduce countless viewers to Cronenberg’s signature style, but it also gained a reputation as a true cult classic. With infamous scenes, such as Revok psychically causing a rival scanner’s head to explode, even though Scanners was released in January, any viewer who saw it would be thinking about it the whole year through. The success of Scanners led to a series of spin-offs and sequels without Cronenberg’s involvement.
4
Wrong Turn (2021)
Released: January 26, 2021
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Wrong Turn
R
HorrorThriller
Wrong Turn is the seventh installment in the American slasher series of the same name and serves as a reboot of sorts. Its story focuses on a group of six friends, who, while hiking on the Appalachian Trail, find themselves hunted by a group of settlers who call themselves the Foundation.
Release Date
January 26, 2021
Runtime
120 minutes
Franchise(s)
wrong turn
Cast
Bill Sage
, Dylan McTee
, Emma Dumont
, Adain Bradley
, Daisy Head
, Charlotte Vega
, Matthew Modine
, Adrian Favela
Director
Mike P. Nelson
Writers
Alan B. McElroy
Budget
$4.8 million
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The original Wrong Turn from 2003 owed a lot to the legacy of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, but the film had enough unique appeal to kickstart an entire franchise with five sequels. However, by 2021, it was time for a fresh start, and Wrong Turn was rebooted with a story that saw friends hiking along the Appalachian Trail encounter people who have lived in the mountains for hundreds of years. As a great example of a reboot done right, Wrong Turn actually added to the franchise’s legacy and did not just merely repeat the same tired notes.
With Mike P. Nelson on directing duties, the original Wrong Turn screenwriter Alan B. McElroy was brought back for this reboot, which gave it an incredible connection to the franchise’s origins. Wrong Turn worked well as a standalone movie, and it was admirable that the filmmakers took a different approach when revisiting this property. Although some longtime viewers were disappointed at these changes, Wrong Turn was an excellent January horror release.
3
M3GAN (2023)
Released: January 6, 2023
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13
6.4/10
M3GAN
PG-13
Horror Sci-FiThriller
M3GAN tells the story of a lifelike robotic doll who arrives in a little girl’s life to help her cope with the death of her parents. As the young Cady befriends the robot, its designer, Cady’s aunt Gemma, realizes her self-aware invention is too dangerous to be kept alive. Blumhouse’s 2022 horror phenomenon mixes Chucky’s creepy inclination for violence with the Terminator’s unstoppable nature to craft a terrifying look at the dangers of Artificial Intelligence.
Release Date
January 6, 2023
Runtime
82 Minutes
Cast
Amie Donald
, Kimberley Crossman
, Allison Williams
, Ronny Chieng
, Violet McGraw
, Brian Jordan Alvarez
Director
Gerald Johnstone
Writers
Akela Cooper
, James Wan
Budget
12 million
Studio(s)
Universal Pictures
Distributor(s)
Universal Pictures
Expand
M3GAN was a truly outrageous and over-the-top horror smash success from Blumhouse Productions. With an unapologetically silly premise that managed to deliver laughs and scares in equal measure, this story about a sentient robot’s obsessive connection to a young child hit all the right notes. As a satire dealing with themes of artificial intelligence, the dangers of children raised on technology, and unhealthy grieving habits, the serious undertones of M3GAN were hidden in its offbeat and humorous style.
As one of Allison Williams’ best movies, M3GAN, along with previous successes like Get Out, showcased her as an actress to watch in the world of horror. As a production company, Blumhouse are notable for allowing their filmmakers significant levels of creative freedom, and the unique nature of M3GAN proved this business model was paying off. With a sequel and spin-off movie on the way, despite being released in January, M3GAN looks set to be just the beginning of a brand-new horror franchise.
2
Cloverfield (2008)
Released: January 18, 2008
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6.6/10
Cloverfield
PG-13
MysteryHorrorThrillerAdventureActionSci-Fi
Directed by Matt Reeves, Cloverfield is a found-footage disaster movie that follows a group of people seeking safety during a state of emergency. When New York City is attacked by an unknown monstrous entity, chaos ensues. A group of friends document their attempts to flee the city and find sanctuary from an onslaught of monsters on a handheld camcorder – footage which is designated as an account of the “Cloverfield” incident.
Release Date
January 15, 2008
Runtime
85 minutes
Cast
Lizzy Caplan
, Jessica Lucas
, T.J. Miller
, Michael Stahl-David
, Mike Vogel
, Odette Annable
Director
Matt Reeves
Writers
Drew Goddard
Sequel(s)
10 Cloverfield Lane
, The Cloverfield Paradox
Budget
$25 million
Studio(s)
Paramount Pictures
Distributor(s)
Paramount Pictures
Expand
Despite being released in the dumping ground of January, the found-footage horror classic Cloverfield received a clever marketing campaign from Paramount. With details of the film kept under wraps, a cryptic teaser trailer encouraged widespread speculation about the film’s plot, and viewers turned out in droves to check out this January release. Directed by Matt Reeves and produced by J.J. Abrams, Cloverfield featured an unknowable creature terrorizing the area “formerly known as Central Park” and was a Lovecraftian nightmare of epic proportions.
Taking in an incredible $172 million at the box office (via Box Office Mojo), Cloverfield struck a chord with viewers and gained widespread critical acclaim. With slow-building tension, incredible pacing, and a massive monster pursuing those fleeing New York City, Cloverfield powerfully echoed the unnerving environment of post-9/11 American society. With two sequels, 10 Cloverfield Lane and The Cloverfield Paradox, the legacy of this found-footage film has only grown in the years since its release.
1
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
Released: January 19, 1996
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4/10
From Dusk Till Dawn
R
ActionHorrorCrime
From Dusk Till Dawn is a horror movie directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarantino. It follows criminal brothers Seth and Richie Gecko (George Clooney and Tarantino), who take a family hostage in a bar that turns out to be a haven for vampires. The film also stars Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, and Salma Hayek, and has since become a cult classic.
Release Date
January 19, 1996
Runtime
108 minutes
Franchise(s)
From Dusk Till Dawn
Cast
Quentin Tarantino
, Juliette Lewis
, George Clooney
, Ernest Liu
, Harvey Keitel
Director
Robert Rodriguez
Writers
Quentin Tarantino
Budget
$19 Million
Studio(s)
Dimension Films
Distributor(s)
MiraMax
Expand
Director Robert Rodriguez blended Western, horror, and vampire stories with his cult film From Dusk till Dawn. Starring Harvey Keitel, George Clooney, and Quentin Tarantino, the plot followed two American brothers who take a family hostage, only to find themselves trapped in a saloon filled with vampires as they attempted to cross the border into Mexico. With a style that embraced excess violence and over-the-top sexuality, From Dusk till Dawn featured a screenplay written by Tarantino himself.
As a pulpy crime drama that leaned into a B-movie aesthetic, From Dusk till Dawn was an action-packed journey that built toward its chaotic conclusion with incredible energy. Despite its January release window, From Dusk till Dawn found a passionate audience and was followed up by two direct-to-video sequels. While From Dusk till Dawn may be a minor release in both Rodriguez’s and Tarantino’s back catalogs, it’s also one of the funnest movies either of them has ever been involved in.
Sources: The Numbers, Box Office Mojo
Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment