TIFF Midnight Madness Hit 'River' Secures Winter 2027 Theatrical Release

Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Atomic Monster have locked in a Friday, January 15, 2027 theatrical release for "River," the horror title acquired out of the Toronto International Film Festival's Midnight Madness section for $10 million. The studio had previously held the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend for a Blumhouse production.

The film will face significant counter-programming on its opening weekend, sharing the date with Paramount's "Children of Blood and Bone" directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and an undisclosed Amazon MGM Studios title. This competitive corridor highlights the high commercial expectations for the genre acquisition.

The deal underscores the continued importance of TIFF's Midnight Madness program as a launchpad for high-profile genre distribution deals. The winter release positions the film to capitalize on the traditionally strong horror marketplace early in the calendar year.

This brief draws on reporting from Deadline.