Shudder brings the goods year-round with its vast collection of titles, but the now the streaming service has stepped up its game by announcing "61 days of Halloween". Over the course of two months, beginning September 1, Shudder will double down with their usual holiday celebrations, and provide horror fans with what they need and deserve: an extended, shared movie experience that was taken away by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Shudder is keeping horror movies alive and saving Halloween.
To be clear, its the die-hard horror fans that keep the genre moving forward, mainly by spreading the word about classics, under-appreciated gems, and new releases that may go unnoticed by casual streamer. As for Shudder, the service always has loads of quality horror to enjoy, whether it's the impressive list of featured collections or the curated playlists from industry figures like like Barbara Crampton, Larry Fessenden, or Alice Lowe (to name a few). After being locked down for several months, many streamers have lost touch with the excitement that theatrical releases provide. Now, in late 2020, Shudder could revolutionize the horror industry by adapting its model to changing times.
Shudder is synonymous with "horror", but it's so much more. Those unfamiliar with the nuances of sub-genres could easily reduce "horror" to movies about killers, dumb teenagers, and monsters. Fortunately for international horror fans, Shudder is progressive with its programming approach and makes sure that people from all parts of the world are represented. Right now, many horror fans are naturally anxious to get back into movie theaters, but that's indeed a privilege that some people don't have, for one reason or another. Shudder provides a high-quality theater alternative, especially for those who can access the service on a decent television. The 2020 hit Host can be enjoyed on a laptop, but a bigger screen always makes the experience more immersive.
Shudder has been producing original content since 2016. Moving forward, the business model will likely expand to consistently accommodate bigger releases, or at least films that would typically have a theatrical run. For example, The Invisible Man and The Hunt went straight to VOD when COVID-19 shut down theaters. For some, the $19.99 price tag was a bit too much, but it's certainly not unreasonable, especially when a night at the movie theatre can add up to the same number. By hosting new releases, Shudder could expand its international reach through special features and events. Disney released Mulan on their streaming service Disney+, and Shudder can similarly provide subscribers with premium horror releases that would, like Mulan, become streaming events.
At its core, Shudder's "61 Days of Halloween" is an extended film festival, and has a tighter focus that many other 2020 online festivals. If Shudder had more big events throughout the year and attracted big names from the entertainment industry, either for sub-genre celebrations or for live panel discussions, this could be a game-changer. In the past, horror fans rushed to movie theaters for matinees and midnight specials. In the future, the AMC-owned Shudder could change the industry by innovating how modern moviegoers perceive the streaming experience.