eventsprogrammingaction

Weekend Crowdpleasers: Pairing ‘The Rip’ With Other January Action Hits for Double Features

ccinemas

2026-01-30

10 min read

Turn January into ticketed events: pair The Rip with Shelter or Greenland 2 for action double bills—pack your house, sell bundles, and boost concession revenue.

Beat the January Slump: Turn Slow Awards Season Into Action Night

Struggling to fill seats in January? You’re not alone. The awards season crushes attention for prestige titles and leaves a gap for crowd-pleasing programming. The solution: build midwinter momentum with high-energy double features that pair The Rip with current action releases like Shelter or Greenland 2. This guide gives cinemas and community venues a practical playbook — from rights and scheduling to ticket bundles, marketing hooks, and on-site experience — so you can sell out weekend nights and reclaim lost revenue.

Why this works in January 2026

January has become a predictable opportunity: audiences want spectacle and value after a month of awards-driven fare. Late 2025 and early 2026 trends show event programming and themed nights outperforming single-show runs for smaller venues, especially when backed by smart promotions and bundled pricing. Action titles—fast, visceral, star-driven—draw diverse crowds who want a social night out, making a The Rip double feature an ideal crowdpleaser.

“Action double bills convert value-seeking moviegoers into loyal repeat customers when paired with thoughtful on-site experiences and community marketing.”

Program Options: Three Blueprints

Pick a blueprint that fits your venue size, licensing options, and audience. For each, we list the core elements: licensing/running rights, schedule, pricing, and on-site activations.

1) The Big Night: Greenland 2 + The Rip (Theatrical + Event Screening)

Best for cinemas with access to high-quality projection and the ability to license 2nd-run or event screenings. Greenland 2 (Gerard Butler) as the theatrical anchor followed by The Rip as the late show delivers star-power and spectacle.

Rights & licensing: Greenland 2 will likely be available through standard distributor booking. For The Rip (a streaming-origin title in 2026), contact the rights holder directly — public exhibition requires permission. If a public screening license isn’t available, substitute with a theatrically-released action title, or host The Rip as a moderated streaming watch party (see hybrid option below).
Schedule: 6:30 PM Greenland 2 — 2hr (approx) / 8:45 PM intermission and concession push / 9:10 PM The Rip — 2hr (adjust for actual runtimes).
Pricing: Bundle ticket: $25–$35 (adult), $15–$20 (students/seniors). Offer a limited number of premium seats with a “priority concession combo” or drink voucher.
On-site activations: Foley demo station, stunt highlight reel pre-show, thematic concessions (smoky BBQ wings for “survival” theme), and a branded photobooth with prop helmets and faux debris.

2) The Streaming Companion: The Rip Watch Party + Shelter Screening

This hybrid model fits venues that can’t secure theatrical rights to The Rip but want to leverage streaming interest. Pair a licensed theatrical screening of Shelter (Jason Statham) with a moderated streaming watch party of The Rip, either in-house (if you secure a public performance license) or as a guided post-show viewing in the lobby/lounge.

Rights & licensing: Contact the distributor for Shelter. For The Rip, contact the streaming platform’s licensing or publicity department. If the platform won’t grant a public screening license, plan a complementary experience: show a curated short film, a making-of reel, or a live Q&A instead.
Schedule: 7:00 PM Shelter — 2hr / 9:15 PM lobby watch party or lounge streaming with host introduction and post-credit discussion.
Pricing: Ticket bundles that include entry plus lounge access: $22 standard, $12 student. Offer a cheaper single-ticket option for only the theater screening.
On-site activations: Live host/moderator to compare stunt work and production design between the two films, local martial artist demonstration, or a panel with a local film critic or stunt coordinator via livestream.

3) The Community Draw: Double Feature + Local Tie-Ins

Smaller community venues can lean into local partnerships to amplify reach. Pair The Rip with Greenland 2 or Shelter if you have rights; otherwise choose a compatible action title. The focus is on community partnerships, cross-promotions, and family-friendly timing (early evening).

Partnerships: Team up with local gyms, auto shops, tactical airsoft stores, or pubs for bar tabs, discount codes, or prize giveaways.
Schedule: Weekend matinee double bills (4:00 PM + 6:30 PM) to capture families and younger crowds post-holiday season.
Pricing: Family pack (2 adults + 2 kids) and loyalty member discounts. Use tiered bundles: General Double (2 screenings), VIP Double (priority seating + drink).
Activations: Local vendor market, post-show trivia with prizes, or cosplay contests with small cash prizes or gift cards from sponsors.

Practical Steps: From Concept to Sold-Out Night (6-Week Timeline)

Use this timeline as a reliable production map. Adjust based on your venue’s lead times and the distributor’s licensing windows.

Week 6 — Concept & Rights: Choose pairing. Contact distributors/rights holders for public exhibition licenses. If The Rip is streaming-exclusive, request event screening permission or plan a hybrid companion event.
Week 5 — Budget & Pricing: Finalize ticket price tiers, concession combos, and sponsorship offers. Build a projected breakeven and upside model for number of bundles sold.
Week 4 — Marketing Assets: Create posters, social tiles, email copy, and short-form clip edits (15–30s) for Reels/TikTok. Prepare in-venue collateral and photo-op assets.
Week 3 — Partnerships & PR: Lock sponsors and partners. Pitch local press with an angle: “Beat January Blues with Two-Star Action Double Bill.” Book community influencers for promo nights.
Week 2 — Sales Launch: Open advance tickets and early-bird pricing. Push targeted paid social to 18–45 demo and remarket to previous buyers using AI-driven audiences.
Week 1 — Execute & Rehearse: Confirm AV checks, staff briefings, volunteer rosters, and pandemic-safe seating. Prepare on-site signage and final email reminders to ticket holders.

Ticketing & Pricing Strategies That Convert

January audiences are price-sensitive but willing to pay for perceived value. Use these proven tactics to maximize revenue and attendance.

Bundle Discounting: Price a double-feature bundle 20–30% below two separate entries. Offer early-bird pricing for the first 48–72 hours.
Dynamic Capacity Sales: Release a limited number of “cheaper” seats upfront. Use dynamic pricing to increase prices as inventory decreases.
Concession Combos: Pair a ticket bundle with a curated concession pack (“Survivor Combo”) at a marked-up but perceived good value price.
Membership Perks: Offer loyalty points or double points for members buying the double feature. Create a “Double Feature Pass” add-on for season pass holders.
Group & Corporate Rates: Market to local companies for staff nights — discounted block buys with F&B included.

Marketing Playbook: Sell the Night, Not Just the Films

Action fans choose experiences. Your messaging should sell the social night out: spectacle, stunts, shared thrills, and value. Below are plug-and-play assets and tactics optimized for January 2026 behavior patterns.

High-Impact Channels

Short-Form Video: 15–30s clips of high-octane moments from trailers and pre-show stunts. Caption the video with the bundle price and a strong CTA: “Limited early-bird bundles — book now.”
Email: Two-email sequence: Launch (early-bird bundles) + Reminder (24–48 hours before). Use segmented subject lines: “Action Fans — 2 Films, One Night, Big Savings.”
Paid Social: Use dynamic creative to swap in partner logos, trailer clips, and concession imagery. Target lookalike audiences based on action-film attendees and local entertainment spend.
Community Outreach: Cross-promote with gyms, car clubs, and tactical sports groups. Offer a group discount code to partner customers.
Local Press: Angle: “Local Theater Revives Double Feature Night.” Offer media a press pass and host a blogger/influencer preview night.

“Two movies. One epic night. The Rip + Shelter — action double bill, this Saturday. Early-bird bundles limited!”
“January solved: Gerard Butler’s Greenland 2 + The Rip. Survival thrills and blockbuster stunts — tickets + combo deals.”
“$25 gets you back-to-back action. Doors 6:00 PM. Live foley demo & photo-ops — bring friends.”

On-Site Experience: Make It Memorable

Action programming sells on experience cues. Small touches raise perceived value and increase concession spend.

Pre-show Warm-Up: Run a 6–8 minute montage of stunts, behind-the-scenes clips, and local sponsor messages.
Intermission Strategy: A 20–30 minute intermission gives time for concession upsells, quick games (trivia), and a photo booth. Announce late-show perks at intermission to keep energy high.
Premium Add-ons: VIP lounge access, priority seating, or a signed poster raffle for early buyers.
Safety & Accessibility: Provide clear signage for exits, offer captioned screenings if available, and ensure wheelchair seating for bundled tickets. Consider lower-volume or clearer-audio screenings for patrons with sensory sensitivities.

Rights, Legal, and Practical Licensing for The Rip

Important: streaming-exclusive titles often require explicit public-performance licenses. In 2026, platforms are more open to curated events but still control exhibition tightly. Always:

Contact the platform’s publicity/licensing arm early. Ask if a public screening license or theatrical window is available.
Consider alternatives if licensing is declined: show a thematically-similar theatrical title, run a curated behind-the-scenes program, or offer a moderated streaming watch party where attendees stream on their own devices while following a synchronized timeline and live host (ensure compliance with terms of service).
Document all agreements in writing — public performance, trailer usage, and promotional rights for stills/clips.

Monetizing Beyond Tickets

Double features open multiple revenue streams beyond box office.

Sponsor Packages: Local brands can sponsor a “Survival Hour” with logo placement, PA mentions, and coupon inserts.
Merch Tables: Sell theme-related merchandise, limited posters, and concession upgrades.
VIP Upgrades: Bundled photo-ops with props, signed memorabilia raffles, and meet-and-greets with local film personalities or stunt teams.
Digital Tie-Ins: Sell access to a post-show recorded panel or an extended Q&A for remote purchasers as an add-on.

Success Metrics & Post-Event Follow-Up

Set KPIs before launch and measure both financial and engagement outcomes.

Box Office KPIs: Attendance, bundle sell-through rate, average ticket revenue, and concession attach rate.
Engagement KPIs: Social mentions, influencer reach, email open/CTR for event emails, and repeat-purchase rate for next event.
Post-event: Send a thank-you email with a 48-hour discounted offer for the next double feature. Request feedback via a 2–3 question survey and feature attendee photos on your social channels (with permission) to build FOMO for the next run.

Case Study Snapshot: Small Cinema, Big Impact (Hypothetical)

Community Cinema X ran a Greenland 2 + local-studio curated action short + moderated discussion night in late 2025. They sold 78% of capacity, increased concession revenue by 42% over a normal Friday, and converted 18% of first-time patrons into loyalty members by offering double feature exclusives and a post-show digital panel recording. Key tactics: early-bird bundles, a local gym partnership for cross-promotion, and influencer preview night.

Final Checklist: Launch Your The Rip Double Feature

Confirm rights for both titles or have a legal alternative ready.
Set bundle pricing and an early-bird window.
Create short-form video promo and schedule paid social ads.
Lock 2–3 local partners for cross-promotion and sponsorship.
Design intermission programming to drive concessions and engagement.
Prepare post-show digital content and a follow-up retention offer.

Why Now: The Business Case

In 2026 the theatrical landscape favors curated experiences. Audiences are time-poor and value-driven; they want nights out that feel special. Action double bills like The Rip double feature give you a product that’s easy to market, broad in appeal, and flexible enough to fit small community venues and larger cinemas alike. When you combine practical licensing strategies, smart pricing, and experience-focused activations, a January double feature can be a reliable revenue generator and a pipeline builder for spring programming.

Ready to Book Your Night?

Start simple: pick your pairing, secure rights, and open early-bird bundles. If you want a template for email campaigns, poster copy, or a sample run sheet we’ve used successfully in community cinemas, get in touch — we’ll send a customizable pack to fast-track your promotion.

Turn slow season into sold-out season — plan your action double bill and make January your next big weekend.

Call to action: Reserve your provisional date, contact rights holders this week, and launch early-bird bundles within two weeks. Want our event kit (email templates, social copy, pricing matrix)? Email your venue name and target date to programming@cinemas.top or sign up for our event-programming newsletter and get the kit instantly.

cinemas

Contributor

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.