Friday the 13th Returns to Theaters: Jason Voorhees’ Bloody Legacy Gets a 2026 Revival

The most superstitious day of the year has arrived, and Regal Cinemas is marking the occasion with a cinematic celebration that horror enthusiasts have been waiting decades to experience. On February 13, 2026—the first Friday the 13th of the year—theatres across the country will screen the original 1980 slasher classic and its 1981 sequel back-to-back, giving fans a chance to experience the birth of one of horror’s most enduring franchises on the big screen where it belongs.

For those planning their evening, Regal has strategically scheduled the screenings to allow for a complete double feature experience. The original Friday the 13th will begin between 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM, depending on your location, with Friday the 13th Part II following after 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM. At approximately 135 minutes and 137 minutes respectively, both films offer a manageable marathon for horror aficionados looking to immerse themselves in Crystal Lake’s bloody history.

The timing couldn’t be more perfect. As winter’s chill settles across the country and the days remain short, there’s something particularly fitting about spending an evening with Jason Voorhees and his mother Pamela in the darkened confines of a movie theater. The experience promises to be more than just a nostalgic trip—it’s a chance to witness how these films, despite their initial critical reception, fundamentally reshaped the horror landscape.

When Friday the 13th premiered in 1980, critics were largely unimpressed. The film currently holds a 58% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers at the time dismissing it as derivative of John Carpenter’s Halloween. Roger Ebert famously called it “an immoral and reprehensible piece of trash.” Yet audiences saw something different in this tale of summer camp counselors meeting gruesome fates at the hands of an unseen killer. The film’s $59.8 million box office haul against a modest budget proved that there was a massive appetite for this brand of visceral horror.

The sequel, released just a year later in 1981, fared even worse with critics, earning a dismal 28% on Rotten Tomatoes. Vincent Canby of The New York Times described it as “a movie that makes you wonder whether the people who made it actually saw the original.” However, Friday the 13th Part II still managed to gross $21.7 million, demonstrating that critical panning couldn’t deter the growing fanbase eager for more blood-soaked adventures at Crystal Lake.

These box office successes were transformative for the horror genre. They established the template for the slasher film that would dominate the 1980s, influencing countless imitators and establishing tropes that persist in horror cinema today. The films’ financial performance also proved that horror could be a reliable commercial genre, paving the way for franchises like A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, and countless others.

What makes this theatrical re-release particularly significant is the cultural context surrounding the Friday the 13th franchise in 2026. After years of legal battles over the rights to Jason Voorhees and the Crystal Lake mythology, the franchise is experiencing a renaissance. A24’s Crystal Lake prequel series for Peacock has been in development, promising to explore the origins of Pamela Voorhees and the dark history that led to Jason’s reign of terror. While no release date has been announced for the series, the theatrical screenings serve as a perfect primer for what’s to come.

Regal’s announcement on social media has added an extra layer of intrigue to the February 13th event. Their cryptic tweet promising “something big” happening on the next Friday the 13th in November has sent fans into speculation overdrive. With November 13, 2026, being the only Friday the 13th that fall, could this herald a major announcement about the Crystal Lake series? Perhaps a surprise screening of previously unseen footage? Or maybe even news of a new film in the franchise? The horror community is buzzing with possibilities.

The theatrical experience itself promises to be immersive. There’s something uniquely thrilling about watching these films in a communal setting, surrounded by fellow horror fans who appreciate the campy dialogue, the creative kills, and the sheer audacity of these early slasher films. The jump scares land differently in a theater, the collective gasps and screams creating a feedback loop of terror that enhances the viewing experience.

For younger audiences who may have only experienced these films through streaming or home video, the theatrical screening offers a chance to see them as they were meant to be seen—on a massive screen with thundering sound design that makes every creak of the woods and every slice of the machete feel immediate and threatening. The practical effects work of Tom Savini, which brought Jason’s kills to visceral life, takes on new dimension when projected large enough that you can see every detail of the makeup and prosthetics.

The cultural impact of these films extends far beyond their initial releases. They launched the career of Kevin Bacon, who appeared in the original film before becoming one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors. They established the “final girl” trope that would become a staple of horror cinema. They created an icon in Jason Voorhees, whose hockey mask would become one of the most recognizable images in popular culture, even among those who’ve never seen the films.

As we approach this special screening event, it’s worth reflecting on how these films, once dismissed by critics, have endured for over four decades. They’ve inspired academic analysis, cultural commentary, and passionate defense from horror scholars who recognize their importance in the evolution of genre cinema. The fact that Regal is dedicating screens to these films in 2026 speaks to their lasting appeal and cultural significance.

Whether you’re a longtime fan who can quote every line or a curious newcomer wondering what all the fuss is about, the February 13th screenings offer a perfect opportunity to experience horror history. Just remember to arrive early, grab your popcorn, and maybe avoid any summer camp job offers that might come your way in the near future. After all, it’s Friday the 13th—and at Crystal Lake, that’s never a good sign.

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