Raimi’s Send Help Dominates Opening Weekend

Sam Raimi’s latest thriller Send Help has stormed into 2026 as one of the year’s early breakout hits, claiming the title of the biggest domestic opening weekend so far with a solid $19-20 million haul in its debut frame (January 30-February 1, 2026). Released by 20th Century Studios under Disney, the film—starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien—surprised many by topping projections and outperforming expectations in a crowded early-year market.

Picture this: two mismatched colleagues, a high-powered financial strategist (McAdams) and her abrasive CEO (O’Brien), survive a plane crash only to wash up on a deserted island. What starts as a survival story quickly spirals into a darkly comedic psychological thriller, blending mind games, old grudges, and raw human nature. Raimi, the mastermind behind classics like the original Evil Dead trilogy, Spider-Man, and Drag Me to Hell, returns to his horror roots here with a fresh, original tale that’s equal parts tense and slyly funny.

The opening weekend numbers tell a compelling story. Industry trackers like Box Office Mojo and The Numbers report the film debuted to approximately $19.1 million domestically from 3,475 theaters, with some estimates rounding up to around $20 million—making it the top opener of 2026 to date. Globally, it pulled in about $28.1 million in its first weekend, including a respectable international start. This beat pre-release projections of $14-17 million and edged out competitors like Markiplier’s indie horror sensation Iron Lung (which had a strong but lower global debut in the same window).

Fast-forward to its second weekend (February 6-8, amid the Super Bowl slowdown), and Send Help held strong. It dropped about 47-53% to earn another $9-10 million domestically, retaining the No. 1 spot for a second straight weekend. As of mid-February 2026, the domestic total sits at roughly $35.8 million, with international earnings around $17.7-18 million, pushing the worldwide gross to $53-54 million against a reported $40 million budget. That’s already past break-even on production costs alone, and with strong word-of-mouth (positive reviews praising McAdams’ layered performance and Raimi’s energetic direction), legs look healthy—potentially heading toward $50-60 million domestic and beyond globally.

What makes this run so impressive in the horror genre? Original mid-budget thrillers have been hit-or-miss post-pandemic, but Send Help benefits from Raimi’s brand, A-list leads, and a fresh premise that avoids overused tropes. Compared to Raimi’s non-Marvel/Oz works—like Drag Me to Hell ($42 million domestic lifetime) or his earlier horrors—this is shaping up as one of his strongest original performers. It’s also a win for theatrical horror in early 2026, proving audiences still crave big-screen chills when the story and stars click.

Critics have been kind, with many highlighting the sharp editing, fast pace, and McAdams’ standout turn—from awkward charm to darker edges. Audience reception echoes that, helping the film weather the typical horror drop-off and even thrive during a slower Super Bowl weekend.

For moviegoers, Send Help is a reminder that Sam Raimi still has the magic touch when he dives back into the genre he loves. If you’re into survival tales with psychological twists and a dash of black comedy, catch it while it’s still dominating theaters—before it inevitably heads to streaming later this year. Hollywood could use more surprises like this to kick off the year right.

For more USA news check:

https://clickusanews.com/news/
Latest USA breaking news, national headlines, global affairs, and trending stories.

https://clickusanews.com/sports/
USA sports news, live scores, match highlights, athlete updates, and major sporting events.

https://clickusanews.com/technology/
Technology news covering AI, gadgets, innovation, cybersecurity, and digital trends in the USA.

https://clickusanews.com/entertainment-movies-ott/
Entertainment updates including movies, OTT releases, celebrity news, and pop culture stories.

https://clickusanews.com/business/
Business and finance news with USA market updates, corporate stories, crypto, and economic insights