Long live drive-in movie theaters! With the COVID-19 pandemic shuttering many indoor theater chains in the U.S., drive-ins have made a bit of a resurgence in its wake. Films like HOW TO BUILD A GIRL and THE WRETCHED have been thriving at drive-in locations with the latter film proving to behave like a bit of a throwback to when horror was a mainstay at many late-night viewings for drive-in aficionados. Looking to build on that success is Sam Raimi's horror classic, THE EVIL DEAD, which makes a return to drive-in movie theaters beginning this weekend.
The news was announced by Grindhouse Releasing, who will be touring the 1981 film across the country this summer. The film will make its first stop at the Prides Corner Drive-In, located in Westbrook, Maine, this weekend. Grindhouse Releasing is the same company that toured the recent 4K restoration of the movie across the U.S. last year. You can check out their announcement on Twitter below:
EVIL DEAD has been in the news quite a bit lately. This announcement comes off the reveal from star Bruce Campbell that a new movie in the franchise is happening with director Lee Cronin at the helm. Campbell won't be reprising his popular role of Ash Williams in the film because he's sticking to his guns about retiring the role after Ash vs. Evil Dead was canceled. That doesn't mean that Campbell can't promote the event because he took to Twitter to also plug the upcoming return of the first film to drive-in theaters:
THE EVIL DEAD was the feature directorial debut of Sam Raimi and it followed five friends that travel to a cabin in the woods where they unknowingly release flesh-possessing demons. The movie was made for next nothing but went on to become a success that gained a significant cult following. A sequel, EVIL DEAD II followed in 1987 while the third installment, ARMY OF DARKNESS, released in 1992, played up the comedy more than the horror which earned the film its own unique following as well. A remake was released in 2013 and was generally well-received by fans as well.
Will YOU see THE EVIL DEAD at your local drive-in if it happens to make a stop in your area?