Friday the 13th Brings Food Deals, Horror Movie Marathons

Krispy Kreme offers free doughnut dozens, while horror fans have plenty of films to watch on the 'unluckiest' day of the year.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day, but that hasn't stopped businesses from offering special deals and movie fans from celebrating with horror movie marathons. Krispy Kreme is giving away 13,000 free Original Glazed dozens to randomly selected guests, while classic and modern horror films are popular viewing choices for the superstitious and thrill-seekers alike.

Why it matters

The origins of Friday the 13th being considered an unlucky day are rooted in religious and superstitious beliefs, but the day has also become a cultural phenomenon with businesses and consumers embracing the 'unlucky' theme through special offers and entertainment.

The details

Krispy Kreme is offering 13,000 free Original Glazed dozens to randomly selected guests at participating shops on Friday the 13th. The doughnut chain says the promotion is intended to "sweeten Valentine's Weekend and bring a side of good luck." For horror fans, the Friday the 13th film franchise is a popular viewing choice, but there are also many other classic and modern monster movies to marathon on the 'unluckiest' day of the year.

  • Friday, February 13, 2026

The players

Krispy Kreme

A popular doughnut chain that is offering 13,000 free Original Glazed dozens to randomly selected guests at participating shops on Friday the 13th.

Moira Marsh

A folklore librarian at the University of Indiana Bloomington who explains that Fridays have been considered unlucky to Christians since the Middle Ages because the crucifixion of Christ was on a Friday.

Stephen Winick

A folklore specialist at the American Folklife Center of The Library of Congress who says experts don't know if the belief that 13 was once considered good luck because there were 13 people at the Last Supper is true.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Fridays have been considered unlucky to Christians since the Middle Ages because the crucifixion of Christ was on a Friday.”

— Moira Marsh, folklore librarian at the University of Indiana Bloomington (NPR)

“Experts don't know if the belief that 13 was once considered good luck because there were 13 people at the Last Supper is true.”

— Stephen Winick, folklore specialist at the American Folklife Center of The Library of Congress (NPR)

The takeaway

While Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day rooted in religious and superstitious beliefs, businesses and consumers are embracing the 'unlucky' theme through special offers and entertainment, demonstrating how the day has become a cultural phenomenon.