Summary
- Despite initial mixed reviews, The Shining is now hailed as a horror classic by audiences.
- The Shining will be back in theaters on Sept 29 and Oct 2 in limited locations.
- Viewing The Shining in a theater enhances the terrifying experience for horror fans.
Acclaimed horror classic The Shining will soon be back on the big screen—but fans don’t have long to experience Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece in theater. The film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel of the same name was famously disliked by the popular horror author. However, audience responses to The Shining have been less straightforward, and opinions of the movie have shifted wildly over time.
Though it wasn’t well-received by Stephen King, critics, and audiences when it was released in 1980, The Shining is now regarded as one of the best horror films of all time. In 1980, the now-iconic images of blood pouring from hotel elevators, or psychotic, axe-wielding Jack Nicholson, were shocking and confusing to audiences. However, over time, film lovers have uncovered endless layers of nuance and meaning that cement The Shining’s status as a horror masterpiece. The story of a father driven to madness by a haunted hotel is presented in Kubrick’s film with intense slow-burn terror. Kubrick’s meticulous filmmaking style and obsessive vision make The Shining one of the most enduring horror movies of all time.
Dreams Players Recreate The Shining's Overlook Hotel
Fans of Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Stephen King's The Shining recreate huge portions of the Overlook Hotel in Media Molecule's Dreams.
When Is The Shining Coming Back To Theaters?
Anyone looking to get a jump on spooky season can catch Kubrick's horror masterpiece in theaters on Sunday, September 29 and Wednesday, October 2. Most venues will have a matinee and an evening showing, so that’s four chances total to make plans to head to the theater. Catching The Shining on the big screen is a great way to kick off a month of scary movies in October. Sure, it’s easy to rely on streaming services as your source for horror movies. After all, the couch is much more inviting than blustery fall weather. However, it’s worth taking advantage of this limited re-release of The Shining. There’s just something about seeing a movie in a theater that makes the experience more immersive. For horror movies (especially The Shining), that total immersion leads to serious scares.
Which Theaters Are Showing The Shining?
Though The Shining will be in theaters for a limited run, it won’t be getting the same wide release as newer movies. This re-release of The Shining will be screened in 163 theaters in 35 states, at a number of theater chains, including:
- Emagine
- CinemaWest
- NCG Cinema
- Act V Theaters
- CineLuxe
- EVO Entertainment
- Epic Theaters
- Galaxy Theaters
- Georgia Theater Company
- Grand Theaters
- Icon Cinema
- Marquee Cinema
- Phoenix Theaters
- Movie Bowl Grille Theaters
- RMC Cinemas
- Santikos Entertainment
- ShowBiz Cinemas
- Silverspot Cinema
- Stone Theaters
- Village Centre Cinemas
- Wyo Movies
- Xscape Theaters
To be sure that your local theater will be screening The Shining, check the theater chain and showtimes.
Why Is The Shining Being Re-Released?
In recent years, there have been many older films that have made a surprise, yet brief, return to the big screen. Often, movies make their way back to theaters due to it being an anniversary of the film’s original release date. However, that’s not the case this time for The Shining. This re-release is part of a program called Flashback Cinema. The program shows a new movie each week, on Sunday and Wednesday, giving fans the chance to experience their favorites in the theater. Much of cinema is meant to be seen on the big screen, so Flashback Cinema events are ones that hold particular appeal for movie fanatics. Upcoming Flashback Cinema movies include Twilight Breaking Dawn Parts 1 and 2, The Lost Boys, and The Exorcist. On the website, fans can even suggest movies that they would like to see back in theaters.
Is Seeing The Shining In Theater Worth It?
So, is it actually worth it to see The Shining on the big screen? The short answer—absolutely! The Shining is intense, creepy, and terrifying, no matter how you watch it, but on a large screen in a dark theater with surround sound, the movie becomes exponentially scarier. For those just beginning to explore the horror genre, The Shining is a must-watch, and there’s no better way to see it than up on the big screen. Even devout fans who have seen The Shining countless times on their TVs at home will gain a new appreciation for the film by seeing it in theaters. No matter what level of horror fan, seeing The Shining in a theater is a unique and profound experience, and should not be missed.
While The Shining has grown in popularity since its initial lukewarm reception, in recent years, the film has gained new relevance. Stephen King published a sequel to The Shining, called Doctor Sleep, in 2013. The sequel was adapted to film in 2019, which introduced a new generation of fans to the Overlook Hotel. Though based on the follow-up novel, the Doctor Sleep movie pays homage to The Shining film adaptation, and many have praised how the movie successfully integrated elements of Kubrick’s vision. Between newer fans of Doctor Sleep and long-time Kubrick fans, the upcoming re-release of The Shining is an excellent opportunity for many viewers.
The Shining
Display card tags widget Display card community and brand rating widget Display card main info widget- Release Date
- June 13, 1980
WHERE TO WATCH
Stanley Kubrick's horror classic starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall tells the story of the Torrance family, who move to the isolated Overlook Hotel so that father Jack Torrance can act as its winter caretaker. Stuck at the hotel due to the winter storms, the malevolent supernatural forces inhabiting the building slowly begin to drive Jack insane, causing his wife and psychically gifted son to be caught up in a fight for their lives when Jack is pushed over the edge.
