Blumhouse and Universal Set January 2027 Release for Slasher 'River'

Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Atomic Monster will release "River" in theaters nationwide on Friday, January 15, 2027. The slasher film will open against Jason Statham's "The Beekeeper 2" and "Children of Blood and Bone," the adaptation of a hit YA novel.

"River" follows three estranged siblings who reunite in their hometown after their father's death to scatter his ashes, only to find themselves stalked by a killer. Independent Film Company and Shudder produced the film, and it was originally scheduled to premiere on Shudder's streaming service as the genre label's first original production.

Those plans changed after the film's Toronto International Film Festival premiere, where it became a breakout hit. Blumhouse and Universal swept in and signed a deal for more than $10 million for the rights.

The pact stunned observers, but it made strategic sense. "River's" writer and director, Joshua Giuliano, was already in business with both companies. Shortly before the film debuted, Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Universal's indie label, Focus Features, announced they were making "Occupant," Giuliano's next film. Universal and Blumhouse still had to beat out competitors for his first feature, including Sony Pictures and Netflix.

"To see our first Shudder Original Production launch at Toronto with this kind of response — from audiences, critics, and the marketplace — is enormously gratifying," Scott Shooman, head of IFC Entertainment Group, said in a statement. "Across Shudder and IFC, we have always focused on identifying projects and working with established and next-generation creative visionaries and Josh is exactly the kind of filmmaker we bet on. 'River' is a film that showcases our unmatched credibility in the genre, the strength of our creative relationships and ability to elevate bold and distinctive films that break through."

The film stars Jane Levy ("Evil Dead"), Jessica Rothe ("Happy Death Day"), Max Mattern ("Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy") and Dane DiLiegro ("Prey"). It currently holds a 94% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The acquisition extends a hot streak for Blumhouse. This year the company released the hits "Backrooms" and "Obsession," from Kane Parsons and Curry Barker respectively — two filmmakers in their 20s who represent a new generation of creative talent. With "River," the studio doubles down on young genre directors, and the January 2027 release will test whether a streaming original turned theatrical property can hold its own against established franchise competition.