[Theater News] Summer Exclusivity Is Over…‘Scream 7’ and ‘Salmokji’ Square Off in April’s Horror Lineup

[Planning] Summer exclusivity is over—An April lineup of ‘horror films’ takes over the theater scene

‘Horror films’ are no longer considered “summer-only.” In the upcoming April theater season, chilling ‘horror films’ are rolling out one after another, right in the spotlight. Since the success of ‘Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum’ in 2018, horror has firmly established itself as a genre no longer tied to the seasons. Especially in the off-peak market, where major releases are scarce, the ‘horror genre’ is being praised as a smart way to reach the right audience. With the core audience—people in their teens to 20s—tending to trade recommendations quickly through school communities, releasing in spring can be even more advantageous for box office performance.

The Legend of Slasher Movies Returns in Full Force—‘Scream 7’

‘Scream 7’, hitting theaters on April 1, brings back the iconic slasher-movie setup: a wave of murders connected to ‘Ghostface’, and a desperate fight to survive. Considered a milestone work, it helped spark the genre’s comeback by reshaping horror-movie conventions since its debut in 1996.

In this new installment, ‘Neve Campbell’, reprising her role as ‘Sidney Prescott’, the protagonist from the early films, is drawing intense attention worldwide. Now that Sidney—who has built a family—faces threats from a new killer, the story unfolds as a brutal chapter of bloody revenge. Shortly after its North American release in February, it topped the box office, proving just how strong the momentum is.

A Horror Master’s Perfect Collaboration—‘Lee Cronin’s The Mummy’

‘Lee Cronin’s The Mummy’, releasing on April 22, kicks off when a missing young daughter returns after eight years—now a mummy—delving into a family tragedy and an ancient curse. Produced by ‘James Wan’ of ‘Saw’ and ‘Blumhouse’ of ‘Get Out’, and directed by ‘Lee Cronin’ of ‘Evil Dead Rise’, it rolls out a full-throttle horror synergy.

K-Horror, Hooked to Real Life—‘Salmokji’

‘Salmokji’, hitting theaters on April 8, follows eerie incidents that begin when a crew filming road-view footage tracks down a reservoir called “Salmokji,” which doesn’t show up on maps. Based on a psychic location that’s well-known among real-life horror fanatics, the film brings to life a sticky, unstoppable terror unique to water spirits. Joining the cast is popular actor ‘Kim Hye-yoon’, along with ‘Lee Jong-won’, ‘Kim Jun-han’, and more, maximizing the movie’s immersive pull.