Unlike Kubrick's previous works, which developed audiences gradually through word-of-mouth, The Shining was released as a mass-market film, initially opening in two U.S. cities on Memorial Day, then nationwide within a month.
Ó contrario que os filmes previos de Kubrick, que se difundiron no público a través do boca a boca, The Shining foi lanzado coma un filme de mercado masivo, estreándose primeiro só en dúas cidades no Memorial Day, e un mes despois a nivel nacional.