‘Terrifier 3’: horror sequel nabs Czech cinema release after being dropped from schedule

At long last, Art the Clown is officially headed to Czech cinemas. The gorefest horror sequel Terrifier 3 has officially been added to the latest release schedule from the Czech Film Distributors Union, with a premiere date of Nov. 28 courtesy distributor Vertigo International.

Terrifier 3 will be the first film in writer-director Damien Leone‘s trilogy to see a theatrical release in the Czech Republic. It was originally slated to be released by Vertical Entertainment before being removed from their schedule this summer, but has now found a home with a new distributor.

Set during the Christmas season, Terrifier 3 follows Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera) as she rebuilds her life after the traumatic events of Terrifier 2. Meanwhile, Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) returns with a new accomplice, the possessed Victoria Heyes (Samantha Scaffidi), for another killing spree. Like the first two movies, the film has gained notoriety for its over-the-top gore effects, which have reportedly resulted in numerous walkouts.

The unrated horror film was a surprise hit at the U.S. box office last weekend, where it debuted at #1 with an impressive haul of $21.5 million (CZK 500 million). It held strong this weekend, coming in at #3 behind Smile 2 and The Wild Robot with a total U.S. gross of $36.2 million (CZK 850 million) to date. Terrifier 3 appears poised to outgross major studio franchise releases like Joker: Folie à Deux and Transformers One this fall.

Such box office success is unprecedented for a film not submitted to the MPA (formerly MPAA), the U.S. ratings board; in past years, major chains have refused to screen unrated movies. Previous unrated films to see success at the U.S. box office include George A. Romero‘s Night of the Living Dead (estimated $12 million) and Dawn of the Dead ($5 million).

Vertigo International is a relatively new distributor on the Czech film scene, and has previously released low-budget lapsed copyright cash-in horror films like Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey and the Mickey Mouse-centered The Mouse Trap in Czech cinemas.

The distributor will next release Terrifier 3 in Czech cinemas on Nov. 28 opposite major releases like Disney’s Moana 2, the Michael Keaton–Mila Kunis drama Goodrich, and the Czech comedy Radost na dosah.

Terrifier 3 might have another Czech connection. The film’s soundtrack includes Christmas hits like Silent Night, Jingle Bells, O Come All Ye Faithful, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and according to unverified info online, the versions of these songs in the film are performed by The City of Prague Philharmonic. An official song list for the film has yet to be published.