The Best Horror Film in Theaters Right Now Just Destroyed a 10/10 Movie With the Most Mindblowing Twist of the 2010s

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Rachel McAdams looking confused whilst sat on a plane in 'Send Help'

Published Feb 16, 2026, 3:40 PM EST

In over three years at Collider, senior author Jake has now penned over 2500 articles covering a wide range of TV and film for the resources, lists, utilities, news, and interview teams. Alongside interviewing stars such as Selin Hizli, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Harlan Coben, and Chelsea Peretti, Jake was lucky enough to visit the set of Aardman and Netflix's Wallace and Gromit: A Vengeance Most Fowl in 2024, getting the chance to chat with four-time Academy Award winner Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham. Jake has also worked for other publications, including Agents of Fandom.

Horror fans have already been blessed in 2026, continuing a streak of success that covered 2025 and 2024. YouTuber Markiplier's hit Iron Lung surprised most by claiming box office triumph; 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple fought box office frustration with one of the finest leading horror performances in recent memory, and The Evil Dead director Sam Raimi finally returned to the genre after 17 years with the thrilling Send Help.

The latter, which stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien as co-workers stranded on an island as the only survivors of a plane crash, continued its triumphant opening two weekends by placing high in its third, despite strong new competition. Taking home another $8.8 million domestically, Send Help's most recent weekend marked just a 3% drop in revenue despite being dropped by 500 locations nationwide. This made the horror flick's per-theater average higher in its third week than its second, proving just how popular Raimi's return to horror is.

This $8.8 million haul has helped Send Help increase its global total to just shy of $75 million, as it edges ever-closer to doubling its reported budget of $40 million. In doing this, the movie also climbed higher in the all-time horror ranks, passing one of its biggest horror-comedy rivals in the cult classic The Cabin in the Woods. Directed by Drew Goddard, the genius meta movie starred Chris Hemsworth and Bradley Whitford, and became a surprise hit when it earned over $70 million back in 2012.

What Do Critics Say About 'Send Help'?

Rachel McAdams stood in the thick rainforest looking worried in 'Send Help'

There is no denying the movie's success with audiences, but how did Send Help perform with critics? On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, critics have gushed with praise for Raimi's return, with Send Help becoming the director's highest-rated film in over two decades, tying the 93% score of 2004's Spider-Man 2. The critics' consensus on the site reads, "Putting director Sam Raimi's penchant for diabolical mayhem to great use, Send Help doesn't need any assistance in thrills thanks to a very game Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien, along with a viciously clever script." A synopsis for Send Help reads:

"In Send Help, two colleagues become stranded on a deserted island, the only survivors of a plane crash. On the island, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive, but ultimately, it's an unsettling, darkly humorous battle of wills and wits to make it out alive."

Send Help is available in theaters now. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for more box office updates.