A fan of horror films? 'FireStarter' opens, and 'Friday the 13th' series also playing

This weekend, “FireStarter” could be burning up the box office.

On Thursday, a new version of Stephen King’s 1980 horror novel — centered on a psychic girl who can start fires by merely putting her mind to it — will be released in theaters throughout Greater Columbus, including Movies 12 Carriage Place, Columbus 10 at Westpointe, Crosswoods, Easton 30, Grove City 14, Movies 16 Gahanna, Polaris 18 and the South Drive-In.

The film will also be available to watch on the Peacock streaming service.

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King’s novel was previously the basis for a 1984 movie starring Drew Barrymore, best-known at the time for appearing in Steven Spielberg’s “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” This fresh adaptation of “FireStarter” stars Ryan Kiera Armstrong as Charlie McGee, the girl with the fire-starting abilities; Zac Efron as her father, Andy McGee; and, in the supporting cast, Sydney Lemmon, Gloria Reuben and Kurtwood Smith.

As it happens, the movie’s release coincides with Friday the 13th — not likely to be an accidental choice on the part of the studio bosses at Universal Pictures.

If you’re still in a horror movie mood after checking out “FireStarter,” several other Greater Columbus theaters are offering special scary programming this weekend.

GATEWAY FILM CENTER

1550 N. High St.

Contact: www.gatewayfilmcenter.org

Details: “Friday the 13th,” 9:30 p.m. Friday, 4:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday: The signature 1980 slasher flick will be shown in 35mm at the film center over the weekend. Don’t make the same mistake as Drew Barrymore’s character in the movie “Scream” and assume that Jason is the character doing the slashing.

Tickets: $15

Details: “The F13th Fan Film Mixtape,” 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Sunday: This 72-minute compilation features homemade homages to the “Friday the 13th” franchise.

Tickets: $9.50 to $12.50

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STUDIO 35 CINEMA & DRAFTHOUSE

3055 Indianola Ave.

Contact: www.studio35.com

Details: “Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood,” 11:30 p.m. Friday: Some might contend that the film franchise was dragging by the time the seventh entry was produced, but a personal appearance by actress Lar Park-Lincoln — who appears in the role of Tina in the film — is sure to spark up the screening.

Tickets: $20

GRANDVIEW CINEMA AND DRAFTHOUSE

1247 Grandview Ave.

Contact: www.grandviewtheater.com

Details: “Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood,” 11:30 p.m. Saturday: The film will again be shown with actress Park-Lincoln in attendance.

Tickets: $20

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: FireStarter movie opens May 12; Friday the 13th series returns