Sam Raimi just reminded everyone why he’s considered one of horror’s greatest directors.
His latest film, Send Help, currently holds the highest critic score of any wide-release movie in 2026 so far.
The legendary filmmaker behind the original Spider-Man trilogy and Evil Dead franchise has returned to his horror roots with a survival thriller that’s earning rave reviews.
And critics can’t stop talking about it.
Raimi’s Return to Horror Dominates 2026
Send Help stars Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien as an employee and her insufferable boss who become stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash. They must overcome their past grievances and work together just to survive.
The premise might sound like romantic comedy territory, but Raimi has crafted something entirely different. This is pure survival horror from a master of the genre.
Currently sitting at an impressive 94% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, the film leads all wide-release movies this year. That puts it ahead of 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple at 93% and Dead Man’s Wire at 91%.
Horror’s Unexpected Dominance Continues
What makes this achievement particularly notable is the timing. January has long been considered a dumping ground for studios’ weaker films—projects they don’t believe can compete during more competitive seasons.
Send Help shatters that stereotype completely.
Even more striking: the top two highest-rated films of 2026 are both horror movies. This continues a trend from 2025, when Sinners claimed the year’s top critic score in the same genre.
Horror is experiencing a critical renaissance that shows no signs of slowing down.
Not every January release has fared well, of course. Mercy stumbled with a 23% score, while Return to Silent Hill crashed with just 18%. But overall, January 2026 has proven stronger than most years for quality releases.
What Makes Raimi’s Vision Special
Raimi built his reputation on blending visceral horror with dark humor and inventive camera work. His Evil Dead films became cult classics precisely because they pushed boundaries while never taking themselves too seriously.
With Send Help, he’s applying decades of experience to fresh material.
The director has proven remarkably versatile throughout his career, moving seamlessly between horror (Drag Me To Hell), superhero blockbusters (Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness), and the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man trilogy that defined superhero cinema for a generation.
But horror remains his natural habitat, where his creative instincts shine brightest.
Raimi’s Recent Superhero Revelations
Beyond Send Help, Raimi made waves recently with candid comments about his superhero past and potential future.
He confirmed he’s officially done with Spider-Man, stating the series has moved into a new era that doesn’t require his version to return. After three films that grossed over $2.5 billion worldwide and launched the modern superhero genre, he’s made peace with passing that torch.
More intriguingly, Raimi revealed he’d be open to directing a Batman movie in the DC Universe.
He attempted to tackle the character years ago but couldn’t secure the rights. Now, with DC’s cinematic universe under new leadership, fans exploded with excitement at the possibility.
DCU head James Gunn acknowledged the statement after social media erupted, though any actual project would be years away. Batman: The Brave and the Bold is reportedly still being directed by Andy Muschietti, and that seems unlikely to change in the near future.
The Current Rotten Tomatoes Landscape
Here’s how 2026’s top films currently rank on Rotten Tomatoes, though scores will naturally fluctuate:
- Send Help – 94% critic score
- 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple – 93% critic score
- Dead Man’s Wire – 91% critic score
- We Bury the Dead – 86%
- The Rip – 80%
- Primate – 79%
Horror and thriller content dominate this list, reflecting broader industry trends toward elevated genre filmmaking.
Competition on the Horizon
Send Help may not hold its top position for long, however.
NEON recently acquired Leviticus after its Sundance premiere, and that film currently boasts a perfect 100% score. Whether it maintains that rating as more critics weigh in remains to be seen, but it represents serious competition.
Sundance acquisitions often generate tremendous buzz, and NEON has an exceptional track record with festival pickups. Their distribution could make Leviticus a major player in 2026’s critical conversation.
Why This Matters for Moviegoers
For audiences tired of formulaic blockbusters, Send Help represents something different. Raimi brings craftsmanship and genuine artistry to genre filmmaking in ways few directors can match.
His films feel alive with creative energy.
The fact that horror films are earning both critical acclaim and strong audience reception suggests viewers are hungry for original, well-executed stories. They’re not just showing up for familiar franchises and sequels.
Send Help arrives in theaters this weekend, offering one of the year’s most promising cinematic experiences. Given Raimi’s track record and the stellar reviews, it’s clearly worth making time for.
Whether it maintains its position as 2026’s top-rated film or eventually gets dethroned, Raimi has already proven he’s still operating at the peak of his creative powers.