It's here in the Archives section that you will find the news of the last three months.
----- November 30, 2023 -----
** THE BLACK PHONE 2: Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies and Miguel Mora are all set to return for the sequel to 2022 horror hit THE BLACK PHONE. The SINISTER team of director Scott Derrickson and his co-writer C. Robert Cargill crafted the sleeper hit which pulled in over $161 million worldwide from a budget 1/10th that amount. Derrickson and Cargill are back for the sequel with Jason Blum producing. THE BLACK PHONE 2 has already set a theatrical release of June 27th 2025 has been set. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** NIGHT SWIM: What are you afraid of? NIGHT SWIM - only in theaters January 5.
** WILLY'S WONDERLAND 4K UHD: Coming to 4K UHD/4K UHD Steelbook on 2/13/2024.
** NOSFERATU remake: Another photo has arrived from Robert Eggers' new NOSFERATU movie, this one showcasing Nicholas Hoult as Jonathan Harker in the movie whilst a blurry Bill Skarsgard as Count Orlok is in the foreground. Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe and Aaron Taylor-Johnson co-star in this reimagining of F.W. Murnau's 1922 silent-era classic. It's dubbed an old-school horror film with the first trailer rumored to arrive next month as the film is set to release on December 25, 2024. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE EXORCIST BELIEVER 4K UHD: The sequel is coming to 4K UHD with a release date of December 19, 2023. The digital release date is December 1, 2023.
----- November 28, 2023 -----
** IN SEARCH OF DARKNESS Presents TERRORBYTES: A deep dive, retrospective documentary series covering the rich history, evolution and emotional core of the horror gaming landscape. Through separate episodes that each put a specific horror gaming topic under the microscope, viewers will be taken on a journey from video game horror's humble beginnings to its explosion of popularity today — exploring throughout the series such thematic ideas as why we love scary games, how the design sensibilities of horror gaming break away from and upend traditional video game power fantasies, how horror games both draw from and inspire other mediums, and more.
** ALLIGATOR & ALLIGATOR II 4K UHD: Coming to 4K UHD/Blu-ray on 1/29 from 101 Films.
** ANACONDA: Here's a look at the Walmart Exclusive Steelbook coming out February 6th, 2024.
** Massacre Video: Now available to pre-order are BLOODRAYNE 4K UHD, 555 and DARD DIVORCE.
----- November 27, 2023 -----
** INSIDE (À L'INTÉRIEUR): Coming to Blu-ray from Second Sight Films on 2/5.
** HIGH TENSION 4K UHD: Coming out on 3/20/2024 from ESC Distribution.
** NOSFERATU remake: Director Robert Eggers has opened up a bit more about his upcoming NOSFERATU remake, detailing the gothic nature of the film. Speaking to Empire, Eggers confirmed that the remake will be a horror film. He likened it to older, "gothic" films that don't really seem to exist nowadays.
"Yeah, it's a scary film. It's a horror movie. It's a Gothic horror movie," Eggers said. "And I do think that there hasn't been an old-school Gothic movie that's actually scary in a while. And I think that the majority of audiences will find this one to be the case." (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S: The video game adaptation has become the highest-grossing Blumhouse release of all time with $283.1 million.
** INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS 4K UHD: Coming to 4K UHD in February from Arrow Video.
----- November 24, 2023 -----
** SCREAM VII: The saga surrounding the making of the next SCREAM film just keeps on taking new twists and turns in real-time it seems. In the wake of the reported exits of both Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega from the film over the past day, Variety is now reporting that the whole project is set to undergo a 'creative reset'.
James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick, the writers of the previous two installments which starred the actresses as sisters Sam and Tara Carpenter, will now work on a fresh draft to present to filmmakers. Though some set pieces may be preserved, the project is now seeking new protagonists. Original SCREAM leading lady Neve Campbell opted not to return for this year's SCREAM VI over a salary dispute, but the trade says producers are reportedly keen to see her reclaim her character of Sydney Prescott. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE BABYSITTER 3: A third film in THE BABYSITTER franchise is still happening says director and producer McG. McG helmed the 2017 Netflix comedy horror film which subsequently spawned a sequel titled THE BABYSITTER KILLER QUEEN. A third one has yet to be confirmed by the streamer.
In a new interview with ComicBook.com to promote his new family comedy FAMILY SWITCH, McG says he's still pushing for a third film: "Yeah, we're still talking about it. It was fun. The first movie, obviously, gave Samara Weaving to the world, and the second movie was Jenna Ortega. Hopefully we can answer the call and find a third star that reaches those lofty heights." (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** Terror Vision: Now available to pre-order are THE NEWLYDEADS (1988) and WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WILL SCARE YOU (2020).
** Vinegar Syndrome: Here's their Black Friday titles revealed; eXistenZ (4K UHD), THE BLACK ROOM, UNTOLD STORY 2, A GUN FOR JENNIFER and REDNECK ZOMBIES.
----- November 23, 2023 -----
** Jenna Ortega out of SCREAM VII: Jenna Ortega is not expected to return for the upcoming seventh SCREAM film at Spyglass Media. Ortega and Melissa Barrera played sisters Tara and Sam Carpenter respectively in both 2022's fifth and this year's sixth film in the franchise.
Barrera was fired by Spyglass over her social media repostings on the Hamas-Israel conflict leading to intense emotional reactions online across social media and discussion boards. Despite the timing, Ortega's exit is for entirely different reasons – namely Netflix's WEDNESDAY. The trade indicates Ortega's exit was already in discussion before the actor's strike. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** SCREAM VII: Director Christopher Landon has commented on the firing of the film's lead, Mellisa Barrera, over her Pro-Palestine stance. Although Landon has nothing to do with Barrera's exit from SCREAM VII, he naturally had fans asking him about it. So he responded on X (formerly Twitter);
"This is my statement: Everything sucks. Stop yelling. This was not my decision to make."
The understandably guarded response was met with disapproval from some quarters that support Barrera and Palestine, and the post has since been deleted with no further comment. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** THE RING Collection 4K UHD: Scream Factory's THE RING Collection release date has been pushed back to March 19, 2024 with the delay will allow the restoration team "to create the best possible brand-new 4K transfer of THE RING (2002), as supervised by Director Gore Verbinski." (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** Severin Films: Here's a look at some of their upcoming releases.
----- November 22, 2023 -----
** THE BOOGENS 4K UHD: Coming on January 30th on 4K UHD and Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
** SCREAM VII: Melissa Barrera will no longer star in the upcoming SCREAM VII at Spyglass according to THR. The actress has reportedly been dropped from the project after a series of social media posts in the wake of the Israel-Hamas War. Spyglass, the company behind the SCREAM franchise, had no comment for the trade. HAPPY DEATH DAY filmmaker Christopher Landon is taking on directing duties on SCREAM VII, replacing filmmakers Radio Silence who exited a while back. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** IT'S A WONDERFUL KNIFE: The modern twist on Frank Capra's seminal Christmas classic IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, will stream on Shudder and be available to rent on all digital platforms on December 1, 2023. Just in time to kick off your festive home viewing for the month. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** LOOP TRACK: Ian, a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown, disappears from the world and takes a hike in the New Zealand wilderness. His efforts to avoid other hikers are futile and he is drawn into their worlds, but he can never shake the feeling that they are being stalked by someone, or something, sinister. As Ian's paranoia grows, the other hikers become wary of him. He's cagey about his past, he never sleeps, and his anxiety leads him to make concerning claims. Far from society, Ian starts to question his own sanity before plunging into a bloody battle for survival.
----- November 21, 2023 -----
** NOSFERATU remake: Here's a first look at director Robert Eggers' new horror tale – a much-anticipated remake of F. W. Murnau's highly influential 1922 vampire classic NOSFERATU. Bill Skarsgård and Lily-Rose Depp co-star. Describing the title, Eggers says: "Yeah, it's a scary film. It's a horror movie. It's a Gothic horror movie. I do think that there hasn't been an old-school Gothic movie that's actually scary in a while. And I think that the majority of audiences will find this one to be the case." (thanks to DarkHorizons.com & Empire Magazine)
** FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S: The haunting new horror film based on the video game series created by Scott Cawthon, will be available with never-before-seen bonus content on Digital November 28th 2023, and 4K UHD, Blu-rayT and DVD on December 12th 2023, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.
** THANKSGIVING: Coming soon to Blu-ray from Sony.
** ADAMTINE: Wiip is adapting the horror graphic novel ADAMTINE into a feature film. Award-winning UK author Hannah Berry created the graphic novel in 2012, and will serve as Executive Producer on the project. Executive Producer Mark Roybal will produce the film alongside Paul Lee and Nate Winslow from Wiip. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** EVIL DEAD TRAP and EVIL DEAD TRAP II HIDEKI: Both films are coming out in Blu-ray in the UK on February 26, 2024.
----- November 20, 2023 -----
** THE CONVENT 4K UHD: The Limited Edition (4,000 units) UHD + Blu-ray Slipcover combo for THE CONVENT will go on sale at 11am EST on Friday, November 24, 2023 on Synapse Films web site.
** THANKSGIVING: Eli Roth-directed horror slasher THANKSGIVING took $3.8 million on opening day and is tracking for a decent $10 million opening weekend – not bad considering the tight $15 million production budget. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE FIRST OMEN: 20th Century Studios has released the first photo from THE FIRST OMEN, an upcoming psychological thriller prequel to Richard Donner's classic 1976 film and its two sequels. Nell Tiger Free, Tawfeek Barhom, Sonia Braga, Ralph Ineson and Bill Nighy star.
Arkasha Stevenson helms the new film in which a young American woman is sent to Rome to begin a life of service to the church. She encounters a darkness that causes her to question her own faith and uncovers a terrifying conspiracy that hopes to bring about the birth of evil incarnate. THE FIRST OMEN is set for a wide theatrical release on April 5th 2024. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** ABIGAIL: In 1976, troubled teen, Abigail and her mother move to a small Alabama town in hopes of escaping the girl's violent past. She befriends the boy next-door, Lucas, who is mercilessly bullied by a group of kids at school. Determined to help him seek revenge, Abigail takes matters into her own hands, but quickly spirals out of control. As Lucas begins to uncover the dark and twisted nature of his new friend, things take a deadly turn. Now, he must choose between standing by her side or stopping her before it's too late.
----- November 17, 2023 -----
** IMAGINARY: In theaters on March 8th.
** THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS remake: Ezra Claytan Daniels has signed on to write the screenplay for the remake of Wes Craven's 1991 horror feature THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS at Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions and Universal Pictures. Brandon Adams, Everett McGill, Wendy Robie, A.J. Langer and Ving Rhames starred in the original which Craven wrote and directed, and produced. Peele and Win Rosenfeld serve as producers on the project which is still in early development stages several years after Peele was announced as being involved back in 2020. Peele is not expected to direct. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** WITCHFINDER GENERAL 4K UHD: Coming out on March 25th, 2024 from 88 Films.
** THE BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW 4K UHD: Coming out on March 25th, 2024 from 88 Films.
** COUNT DRACULA 4K UHD: Coming out on March 25th, 2024 from 88 Films.
----- November 16, 2023 -----
** THE SECT 4K UHD: Coming soon from Severin Films as a 4K UHD/Blu-ray/CD 3-Disc Set.
** THE LAST OF US Season 2: According to the Film & Television Industry Alliance, production on HBO's highly-anticipated THE LAST OF US Season 2 has been scheduled to begin on January 7, 2024. The listing also states that the horror drama's filming location will take place in Vancouver, Canada. Prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike, Season 2 was originally slated for a late 2023 filming start. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** IMAGINARY: From Blumhouse, the genre-defining masterminds behind FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S and M3GAN, comes an original horror film that taps into the innocence of imaginary friends – and begs the question: Are they really figments of childhood imagination or is something more terrifying lying just beneath?
When Jessica (DeWanda Wise) moves back into her childhood home with her family, her youngest stepdaughter Alice (Pyper Braun) develops an eerie attachment to a stuffed bear named Chauncey she finds in the basement. Alice starts playing games with Chauncey that begin playful and become increasingly sinister. As Alice's behavior becomes more and more concerning, Jessica intervenes only to realize Chauncey is much more than the stuffed toy bear she believed him to be.
** ONYX THE FORTUITOUS AND THE TALISMAN OF SOULS: Onyx the Fortuitous is struggling to find purpose with his soul-devouring side gig when he receives a coveted invitation to the mansion of his idol, Bartok the Great. Here, he joins Bartok and his mysterious delegation to raise the spirit of an ancient demon for a once-in-a-lifetime ritual.
----- November 15, 2023 -----
** NIGHT OF THE SEAGULLS 4K UHD: Coming to 4K UHD in March from Le Chat Qui Fume. The 4th opus in the Temples of Amando de Ossorio saga, is coming to Blu-ray and 4K UHD in March 2024. This saga is unfortunately divided between several entitled people and we will pick them up little by little at this very moment. For this title, we're broken down the 4K scan done for the release of the American Blu-ray and we're currently restoring it in 4K. It's very complicated because the film has quite a strange light in the exteriors.
** RAIDERS OF THE LIVING DEAD: Coming soon to Blu-ray from Severin Films.
** FOUNDERS DAY: Dark Sky Films has acquired the rights to political slasher FOUNDERS DAY, and plans to release it early in 2024. The film is directed by Erik & Carson Bloomquist and tells the tale of a contemporary murder mystery set in a small town plagued by ominous killings on the eve of its tricentennial celebration and impending mayoral election. Who is behind it? As the body count racks up, it will no doubt become clear. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** MOON GARDEN: Coming to Blu-ray in Early 2024 from Oscilloscope Laboratories. When a little girl has a terrible accident and slips into a coma, she finds herself thrust into a darkly surreal industrial dreamworld. Haunted by a nightmarish spectre that feeds off her tears, she must follow her mother's radio-static voice to find her way back to consciousness.
Shot on expired 35mm film stock with vintage rehoused lenses, MOON GARDEN is a fantastical odyssey and a visionary, handcrafted, and fully practical work of art that shows how a child can shine light even in the darkest places.
----- November 14, 2023 -----
** TERRIFIER 3: In the third installment of writer/director Damien Leone's breakout horror film, Art the Clown is set to unleash chaos on the unsuspecting residents of Miles County as they peacefully drift off to sleep on Christmas Eve.
** FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S: Blumhouse's FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S movie has moved into the Top 20 best-performing movies of 2023 as it passes a significant milestone at the box office. The video game adaptation, which had a budget of just $20 million and was released day and date on streaming service Peacock, passed the $250 million worldwide mark over the weekend. It's now the 18th best-performing movie of the year. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** THE SACRIFICE GAME: Trapped in boarding school for the holidays, Samantha and Clara's silent nights turn deadly as a murderous gang crashes their Christmas. Don't miss THE SACRIFICE GAME, premiering 12/8 on Shudder.
** IMAGINARY: Tom Payne, Betty Buckley, Taegen Burns, Pyper Braun, Matthew Sato and Veronica Falcón have been announced as joining DeWanda Wise in Jeff Wadlow's already completed horror-thriller IMAGINARY at Blumhouse and Lionsgate. The story centers on Jessica (Wise), who moves back into her childhood home with her family. Her stepdaughter Alice (Braun) soon develops a concerning attachment to a stuffed bear named Chauncey in the basement – a bear much more than a toy. The film opens in March. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
----- November 13, 2023 -----
** TERRIFIER and TERRIFIER 2 4K UHD: Signature is bringing Damien Leone's killer clown to a new level with the TERRIFIER 4K SteelBook set that will feature both films in 4K UHD.
** DOG SOLDIERS 4K UHD: Here's a look at the ucpoming 4K UHD Steelbook from PLAION on January 18th, 2024.
** OUT OF DARKNESS: The Stone Age survival horror movie OUT OF DARKNESS has locked in a February 9th 2024 theatrical release date via Bleecker Street. Safia Oakley-Green leads the cast of the film set 45,000 years ago about group of people crossing some tundra wastes to reach some distant mountains that will be their new home. When night falls, they realize they are not alone. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
----- November 10, 2023 -----
** CEMETARY MAN 4K UHD: Coming out soon from Severin Films as a 4K UHD/Blu-ray/CD 4-disc set.
** More FEAR STREET: Netflix is reportedly looking into expanding its FEAR STREET franchise beyond the original film trilogy with a new standalone film featuring new characters and storylines. Speaking at the grand reopening of the American Cinematheque at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood, Netflix film chief Scott Stuber told the Collider web site that he wants to further explore the horror genre and their adaptations of the book series from GOOSEBUMPS author R.L. Stine.
Netflix premiered the entire original trilogy in July 2021, spreading the R-rated releases a week apart between each entry and turning the whole endeavour into a major hit that scored solid reviews. Stuber tells the outlet that with more than 50 books in the collection, they have no shortage of material to adapt:
"Obviously, there's a lot of books. There's one stand-alone that we're working on right now that we're once again trying to get the script right, but I like it very much, and so does the team. So I feel like if we can get that script right there would be a great kind of extension of that franchise."
Stuber adds the streamer hopes to create their own iconic horror character – essentially Netflix's version of Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, Chucky or Jason Voorhees:
"If you look at its history, which I love horror, I'd like us to find our own Freddy Krueger, our own Jason, our own kind of iconic horror character, and we haven't really honed in on that yet. So the team is working hard on that because I think there's a real opportunity there." (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** OPUS: A24 is set to finance and produce writer/director Mark Anthony Green's debut horror film, OPUS. Plot details are being kept under wraps for now, but the project is a horror film set around an iconic pop stars' return following his decades-long disappearance.
The film stars Emmy nominee Ayo Edebiri and Academy Award nominee and Emmy winner John Malkovich. Additional cast includes Emmy winner Murray Bartlett, Amber Midthunder, Stephanie Suganami, Young Mazino, and Tatanka Means. Academy Award and Emmy nominee Juliette Lewis is also in talks to join the cast. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** OMEN: Following Koffi's return to his birthplace after he has been ostracized by his family, 'Omen' explores the weight of beliefs on one's destiny through four characters accused of being witches and sorcerers, all of them intertwined and guiding each other into the phantasmagoria of Africa.
----- November 8, 2023 -----
** THE CHURCH 4K UHD: Coming out soon from Severin Films as a 4K UHD/Blu-ray/CD 3-disc set.
** IMAGINARY: DeWanda Wise will star in and executive produce IMAGINARY for Lionsgate and Blumhouse Productions. The film, which wrapped filming pre-strike, is set to be released on March 8th. Jeff Wadlow directs the film which was first teased with a sensory trailer in cinemas. While the trailer is mostly a black screen, a few visuals flash across the screen as the young narrator invites viewers to open their eyes. Among them: a missing child poster, some demonic figures and what appears to be a door-filled funhouse. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com & Variety.com)
** BJORN OF THE DEAD: Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson has signed on to star in the horror comedy film BJORN OF THE DEAD which boasts an interesting premise. The story follows Bjorn, lead singer in the ABBA tribute band ABBAtoir, and his band mates Benny, Anni-Frid, and Agnetha. The group spend their weekends covering disco classics at depressing venues from old folk's homes to empty pubs.
They opt to join a Battle of the Bands-style competition for tribute bands at the nightclub The Niney Dimey. Soon after arriving however, they find themselves – along with the various other tribute acts – trapped in the club at the start of the apocalypse. Bjorn and his band must work together to save themselves, humanity, and the future of music. The film is expected to have numerous cameos from the world of both rock and heavy metal music.
SLAXX filmmaker Elza Kephart directs the project from a script by Austin Dickinson based on a story idea co-created by Andrew Prendergast. The latter two also produce. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** BAD CGI GATOR: Six college grads on Spring Break get a cabin in the swamplands of Georgia. Once there, they decide to throw their school laptops in a backyard lake in an act of youthful defiance, which unknowingly turns a lurking alligator into the dreaded and insatiable.
** Screenbound update: BLOOD FOR DRACULA and FLESH FOR FRANKENSTEIN are coming to the UK in December from Screenbound.
----- November 7, 2023 -----
** TERRIFIER 3: Director Damien Leone spoke to the JoBlo web site about how his opening scene of TERRIFIER 3 is so "controversial" that movie studios would never approve it.
"So mark my words, I guarantee you the first 5 minutes of this movie is going to be very controversial," said Leone. "But that's not even the big kill scene. So like that's why I was like, I need to just make this movie on my own, because it's just too… it's too insane."
Damien Leone continued to say that he met with Hollywood studios interested in developing a third movie. However, they had major concerns about the level of gore featured. Hearing their concerns and believing studios would be quick to turn down five pages of Leone's script was enough for him to realize it was in the best interest of the movie if he made it independently. This way, the horror film director can deliver to audiences the franchise's signature move of blood and guts. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** SVALTA: XYZ Films, Wayward Entertainment, and Resolute Films have wrapped production on the horror film SVALTA starring Nick Frost (SHAUN OF THE DEAD, HOT FUZZ) and Aisling Bea (THIS WAY UP) and directed by Steffen Haars (NEW KIDS TURBO). The film was shot in Tampere, Finland, with post-production now underway in the United Kingdom.
SVALTA, written by Nick Frost, follows a family on their summer vacation to a remote island where they discover a serial killer is on the loose. Unfortunately for them the locals have no interest in helping the stranded family. The title is taken from the name of the fictional island.
** PET SEMATARY BLOODLINES: The film arrives to buy on Digital December 5, 2023 and debuts on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD December 19 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Based on the untold chapter from Stephen King's bone-chilling novel PET SEMATARY, PET SEMATARY BLOODLINES follows a young Jud Crandall in 1969. The blood-curdling thriller stars Jackson White as Jud and an outstanding ensemble cast including Forrest Goodluck, Jack Mulhern, Henry Thomas, and Natalie Alyn Lind, with Pam Grier and David Duchovny.
PET SEMATARY BLOODLINES and PET SEMATARY (2019) will also be available in a 2-Movie Collection on Digital or DVD. Experience two generations of horror in this terrifying double feature, which makes a perfect gift for collectors and fans of Stephen King.
----- November 6, 2023 -----
** TERRIFIER 3: Art the Clown will return next year with TERRIFIER 3 set to arrive on October 25th – the third installment of Damien Leone's film series take place during Christmas as Art (David Howard Thornton) terrorises Miles County when its residents drift off to sleep on Christmas Eve. The recent second film earned a surprising $11 million on a $250,000 budget. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** IT prequel series: The HBO and Max IT prequel series WELCOME TO DERRY has floated away from a 2024 release window and into the storm drain of 2025. There's a lot of juggling of shows and schedules going on in part due to the SAG-AFTRA strike action, and the show based on the world of Stephen King's IT is among those to suffer a delay. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** DARK NIGHT OF THE SCARECROWS 4K UHD: Coming soon to 4K UHD from VCI Horror Movies.
----- November 2nd, 2023 -----
** Sam Raimi's next horror film: Fourteen years after his last true horror film with 2009's DRAG ME TO HELL, filmmaking legend Sam Raimi is reportedly gearing up for his return to the genre with "Send Help" at Sony Pictures.
The project was first announced back in October 2019 as an untitled horror project and dubbed a blend of Stephen King's MISERY meets the Zemeckis/Hanks 2000 survivalist drama CAST AWAY. At the time plot specifics were under wraps, but 2009's FRIDAY THE 13th reboot writers Mark Swift and Damian Shannon were attached to pen the script.
Now the World of Reel blog has landed apparent details (and title) for the film which has a completed script and is said to be a comedy-adventure horror about a woman named Linda and her irritating boss Bradley. On a business flight, their plane crashes on an island with only the two of them making it out alive. Linda has serious survival skills, which means she is Bradley's only hope to stay alive.
An early 2024 production start is planned. It joins another project Raimi is rumored to direct, namely a remake of Anthony Hopkins-led 1978 killer doll psychological horror film MAGIC. Producer Roy Lee let slip news of that project on a podcast a year ago. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL: IFC Films and Shudder announced that they have acquired the rights to Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Spooky Pictures' supernatural horror LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL. The rights will cover North America, UK and Ireland, with plans to release the film exclusively in theaters. The film will stream on Shudder at a later date. Written, directed and edited by Australian filmmakers Cameron and Colin Cairnes, the film stars David Dastmalchian who plays the charismatic Late-Night talk show host Jack Delroy, whose live broadcast unexpectedly unleashes evil into the nation's living rooms.
** THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE BARN: An American family fulfills their dream of moving back after inheriting a remote cabin in the mountains of Norway.
----- November 1st, 2023 -----
** FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S: Peacock has announced that the FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S film has become the service's most-watched film or series ever in its first five days on the platform. The film surpassed previous record-holders like HALLOWEEN ENDS but a specific audience number was not cited. By the claims however, the film will likely appear on Nielsen streaming charts next month.
The news comes as the film smashed box office records, opening to $80 million domestically and $132.7 million globally to score the biggest horror film opening of 2023, the biggest Blumhouse global opening of all time, the second biggest opening weekend of all time for a film based on a video game, and the biggest opening weekend for a horror film directed by a woman. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** SALEM'S LOT remake: Warner Bros. Pictures is reportedly set to ditch theatrical release plans for its upcoming new adaptation of Stephen King's early novel SALEM'S LOT according to Variety. Instead, the studio is sending it straight to Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming platform Max. The film was originally slated for a September 9th 2022 release before being delayed to April 2023, then Fall 2023, and then pulled altogether from the calendar.
According to the trade, the move isn't seen as a reflection of the film's quality but rather to fill a content void over on Max that the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike has created. As SALEM'S LOT has been effectively finished for a year, it could be turned into an event premiere launch. A Warner Bros. spokesperson tells the outlet: "No decision has been made about the film's future distribution plans." To date, no promotional material from the film has been released. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** FALL sequels: Lionsgate's survival thriller FALL is set to become a full-on franchise as production company Capstone Studios has greenlit two sequels to the film. The first film's director and co-writer Scott Mann will return in those capacities on the third film, and will produce both. The films will reportedly be direct sequels, thus will bring back surviving original characters from the first film. Made on a $5 million budget, the film grossed close to $22 million at the box-office before a successful VOD release. Then it hit Netflix internationally in January where it scored Top 10 rankings in multiple territories and was a word-of-mouth success.
Mann says in a statement: "I am thrilled to be continuing the FALL journey and taking it to the next level. We've got a really special cinematic experience planned and I'm immensely grateful to my fellow producers for backing the vision. I'm also excited to be working with new collaborators as well as reuniting with the original gang, and obviously can't wait to be back filming thousands of feet up." (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** OUT OF DARKNESS: Bleecker Street's survival horror thriller THE ORIGIN is undergoing a title change and will now be known as OUT OF DARKNESS. The Andrew Cumming-helmed film will hit cinemas on February 9th. The story unfolds 45,000 years ago and follows a group of six young women who have struggled across the narrow sea and tundra wastes to find a new home. When night falls, they realize they are not alone. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
----- October 31, 2023 -----
** IT FOLLOWS sequel: It's official, the sequel to 2014's IT FOLLOWS is on the way with filmmaker David Robert Mitchell re-teaming with star Maika Monroe for the follow-up titled THEY FOLLOW.
Monroe returns as Jay Height from the first film which involves a supernatural curse transmitted by sexual contact. The victim will be pursued by an entity that only they can see and can take the appearance of any person.
Made on a budget of just $1.3 million, the movie grossed $23.3 million worldwide and drew rave reviews. Sequel story details are under wraps, though it has previously been teased the film would follow Jay turning the tables and hunting down the source of the entity. The project is being introduced to buyers at AFM this week with NEON set to distribute the sequel in North America. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** POLTERGEIST TV series: Amazon's MGM Studios has a television show based on Tobe Hooper's classic horror movie POLTERGEIST in the works, and it's currently in the early stages of development. Variety exclusively revealed the news and while no director or stars are currently in place, Darryl Frank, and Justin Falvey will executive produce on behalf of Amblin Television. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** CARRIE 4K UHD: Coming soon from Arrow Video as a 4K UHD edition.
** TRUE DETECTIVE creator at Blumhouse Productions: TRUE DETECTIVE creator Nic Pizzolatto has written a horror film for Blumhouse Productions. Appearing at this year's Austin Film Festival, Pizzolatto revealed he has already written a film for Blumhouse Productions which could also serve as his feature directorial debut:
"Blumhouse contracted me to write and direct a horror movie, which I gave them the script for last week. It's kind of an occult detective story. But I just took a meeting with them once and we just kind of shot the s— and we had some common friends and we were wrapping up and Couper [Samuelson], the VP of Blumhouse, said, 'Look, if you ever have an idea for a horror movie…' And I go, 'Actually, I have one idea for a horror movie and I've had it for 10 years,' and I told it to him and he's like, 'Let's go make this.' I've got to see what they think of the script, but hopefully we'll be doing that." (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
----- October 30, 2023 -----
** TERRIFIER 3: Here's a leaked look at the free poster you'll get when you see TERRIFIER 2 in theaters — with an exclusive TERRIFIER 3 teaser — on November 1st. Looks like the third film will be set during Christmas.
** THE BLACK PHONE 2: Variety revealed that THE BLACK PHONE 2 is set to release in theaters on Friday, June 27, 2025. According to the outlet, the studios describe the upcoming sequel as the "launch of a sinister new franchise." No casting or plot information for THE BLACK PHONE 2 were given with the release date. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** THE KILLER: Michael Fassbender stars in THE KILLER, a new film by David Fincher. Now playing in select theaters and on Netflix November 10.
** FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S: Universal Pictures and Blumhouse's FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S has broken records with its start at the domestic box office. The film adaptation of the video game series pulled in a massive $39.5 million on Friday, a number that includes $10.3 million in Thursday previews.
As a result, estimates now stand at the film taking in a record-smashing $78 million opening. That's way above expectations and the third-biggest horror opening of all time behind the two IT movies. It's also the best opening ever for Halloween weekend among all films, the biggest horror opening of 2023 to date, and the second-biggest opening of all time for a video-game adaptation behind THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE.
Overseas the killer animatronics are slaying it too with the film tracking for an estimated $52 million from 60 markets. Thus its worldwide opening of $130 million surpasses THE NUN II ($88.1 million) as the biggest global start for a horror film this year. It's also the biggest domestic and worldwide opening ever for Blumhouse. All this comes as the film debuted simultaneously on streaming service Peacock. Critics have slammed the film but the audience is more onboard with an A- CinemaScore – horror films rarely get an A of any kind. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
----- October 27, 2023 -----
** THE SHROUDS: Legendary film composer Howard Shore is once again re-teaming with David Cronenberg for the Canadian filmmaker's new film THE SHROUDS which wrapped production over the summer. Shore has previously worked with Cronenberg on some of this most famous films including VIDEODROME, THE FLY and DEAD RINGERS. Vincent Cassel, Guy Pearce, Diane Kruger and Sandrine Holt star in the new film. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** LISA FRANKENSTEIN: Only in theaters Valentine's 2024. Written by Diablo Cody & directed by Zelda Williams. A coming of rage love story about a misunderstood teenager and her high school crush, who happens to be a handsome corpse. After a set of playfully horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a murderous journey to find love, happiness… and a few missing body parts along the way.
** DEUS IRAE: Father Javier (Pablo Ragoni) lives a fractured existence: on one side, he assists families who have witnessed miracles, and on the other he belongs to a trio of excommunicated priests (Gastón Ricaud, Sabrina Macchi) who hunt the possessed down to exorcize them under their own terms: with Bibles, fire and shotguns. But when the only way to crush Evil is by becoming something even worse, how much of your own humanity - or your sanity - are you willing to sacrifice in order to defeat the Devil?
----- October 26, 2023 -----
** KRAMPUS and TRICK 'R TREAT sequels: Filmmaker Michael Dougherty broke through first as a writer on films like X2 X-MEN UNITED and SUPERMAN RETURN before going on to write and direct his own stuff including the Halloween-themed TRICK 'R TREAT and the holiday-themed horror KRAMPUS. First up, whilst a KRAMPUS follow-up is not confirmed he says he has an "idea for a sequel" involving a "group of strangers who are trapped somewhere".
For now though, it sounds like just an idea and not in official development. Though reviews were mixed, KRAMPUS took in $61.5 million worldwide against its estimated $15 million budget. More likely to go forward is a TRICK 'R TREAT follow-up. He says the sequel "is in active development" with Legendary and "would go so far as to say that we have several drafts of a script". In addition, a bunch of storyboards and concept art is done, but the strikes and other elements are complicating matters:
"I'm hoping to talk to Legendary. They've been wonderful, like great collaborators. But so much of it is timing, and as you know, we just got out of a strike, so the next step, fingers crossed, would be looking at budget, of course, schedule, and all the rest... But we have a really, really great script for a sequel. And I brought in my co-writer from KRAMPUS to do it with me. So Zach Shields and Todd Casey who do KRAMPUS with me also helped me write TRICK 'R TREAT PART 2." (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S: This week's Blumhouse-produced game-to-film adaptation FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S won't be doing a M3GAN it seems. The film is releasing with a PG-13 rating, and director Emma Tammi has shot down online rumors of an eventual R-rated version. She makes it clear in an interview with Forbes (via Variety) that this will be the only cut:
"I would say not to expect an R-rated version on this one. We're really happy with how the PG-13 tone landed; it felt like the right fit for this particular film. We're sticking by it."
In a separate interview with Total Film, she says they were aware some of the fanbase would want an R-rated version. For them, they opted still include elements that felt dark without going into the higher R-rating bracket by implying rather than showing:
"Going into production we knew that we wanted to really stick [to] a PG-13 rating for this movie… [we[wanted to deliver on the scares and at least the implied violence of a kill, even if you don't see everything. I personally find it sometimes more fun and creative to figure out the way to show the thing without explicitly showing the thing or without graphically showing the thing. It lets your mind go to even darker places sometimes than when you show all the gore in the guts. So, I was really excited about that rating, to be honest." (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** AS WE KNOW IT: Set in the late '90s, James Bishop deals with a messy breakup with the help of his best friend, while trying to finish his book before the impending zombie apocalypse.
** LISA FRANKENSTEIN: Here's the first official photos of the directorial debut of Zelda Williams. The official synopsis for LISA FRANKENSTEIN says it's a coming-of-rage love story about a misunderstood teenager and her high school crush, who happens to be a handsome corpse. After a set of playfully horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a murderous journey to find love, happiness... and a few missing body parts along the way. The film will be released in theaters on February 9, 2024.
----- October 25, 2023 -----
** A QUIET PLACE DAY ONE: The film previously scheduled for March 8, 2024 is now pushed to June 28, 2024.
** SHARKTOPUS: Here's the trailer for the just released Chinese remake of SHARKTOPUS.
** LAST STRAW: Set over one night in a dusty roadside diner, LAST STRAW follows Nancy, a young waitress working alone on the late shift. As a series of chaotic events spiral out of control, Nancy finds herself in a fight for her life when she is terrorized by a group of masked assailants. No one is who they appear to be, and with nowhere to turn, she must do everything she can to survive the night.
** FLASHBACK: Jed Shepard, the writer of Found Footage horrors HOST and DASHCAM, has released FLASHBACK, a new short home invasion horror movie for Netflix. In the 16-minute short that Shepard wrote and directed, a yoga teacher's life flashes before her eyes during a deadly home invasion, sending her on a desperate race through her past to save the man she loves. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** CREEPSHOW video game: Fortunes foretold, come closer, come near. CREEPSHOW, in development now!
----- October 24, 2023 -----
** WINNIE THE POOH BLOOD AND HONEY sequel: Variety spoke with director and co-writer Rhys Waterfield about the incident where a Miami teacher reportedly put on the film for his fourth-grade class with nearly half an hour of the movie screened before it was turned off, calling what happened "crazy" and how the film makes it clear from the outset that "there is no way you can mistake it for a child's film".
He also used the opportunity to talk up the upcoming sequel in which he says "everything's stepped up massively". That includes a body count which includes over 30 deaths, more than three times that of the first film. That's reflected in the budget which has seen an increase of over tenfold.
The new film also includes the character of Tigger who enters the public domain on January 1st 2024 with the film opening a month later. In terms of release, he says the film is well into post-production right now: "We've finished principal photography and the film is currently in the post-production stages. I'm tidying up the edit and we've got various departments working on it in terms of the music, sound, grade and animation, VFX, all of that stuff." (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE NUN II: Warner Bros. Pictures has set an October 27th premiere date on Max for THE NUN sequel, the release coming just one month and three weeks after its opening in cinemas on September 8th. The film in total has made $257.6 million at the worldwide box office. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** RABBIT TRAP: Dev Patel, Rosy McEwen and Jade Croot are set to star in the horror movie RABBIT TRAP which recently completed filming on location in Wales. Bryn Chainey pens and directs the film which counts Elijah Wood amongst its producers. Set in 1973, the film charts the story of married musicians who've relocated to an isolated cabin in Wales complete their new record. They accidentally make a field recording of a mystical sound and find themselves caught between the ancient spirits of the natural world and the lives they once knew. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE HIVE: Buffalo8 is excited to announce the North American VOD release of THE HIVE, the debut feature from writer-director Jared Allmond. Starring Timothy Haug and Christie Griffin as a feuding couple whose marital issues take a backseat to their fight for survival. The relationship drama builds to a science fiction thriller as the pair must put their issues aside to survive the sadistic strangers whose origins are not what they seem. THE HIVE will hatch on Cable and Digital VOD October 27th, including Prime Video, Vudu, Vubiquity, Cox, and Comcast.
----- October 23, 2023 -----
** IT'S A WONDERFUL KNIFE: The R-rated film will arrive in theaters on November 10.
** BEAST OF WAR: WYRMWOOD director Kiah Roache-Turner has been set to helm the survival action thriller BEAST OF WAR for Cornerstone. The "adrenaline-fuelled shark movie" will be launched at the upcoming American Film Market.
The story begins in 1942 when a warship, carrying hundreds of Australian soldiers across the Timor Sea to the frontline of WW2, is attacked by the Japanese. With the vessel destroyed, a handful of soldiers build a makeshift raft from floating debris as they cling to their lives. Tensions run high between the terrified young men, as they band together in an effort to survive. In the dark below, a great white shark hunts in the wreckage and is drawn to the smell of fresh blood in the water.
Blake Northfield and Chris Brown produce the project which will be shot next year in Australia and Malta. CreatureNFX director Paul Trefry will handle the practical creature effects. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** WHISTLE: Dafne Keen and SHAUN OF THE DEAD star Nick Frost have signed on to star in the upcoming horror movie titled WHISTLE. In addition, Sophie Nélisse, Sky Yang, and Percy Hynes White have also been cast in the high school-set project. It hails from THE NUN director Corin Hardy, who likens WHISTLE to other classic films in both horror and the coming-of-age genres.
"The premise of Whistle is simple, immediate and has a fresh, haunting mythology. A cursed object that summons your future death to come and find you," Hardy said in a statement. "The screenplay has echoes of some of my favourite classic horrors like THE RING, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET or IT FOLLOWS, with elements of seminal high school movies THE BREAKFAST CLUB and DONNIE DARKO. I'm thrilled to be working with this brilliant young cast to bring this inventive, terrifying and cinematic new horror to death… I mean life." (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** Roger Corman's THE TERROR: The duality of Roger Corman is on display, showcasing his spooky gothic side with THE TERROR (1963) — marking the 60th anniversary of its release this year — and his more whimsical side with THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (1960) in this double-feature, special-edition, two-disc, collector's set, on Blu-ray and DVD December 12 from Film Masters.
In THE TERROR - with an all-new HD restoration from 35mm archival elements — an 18th century French Lieutenant in Napoleon's army encounters the ghostly apparition of a young woman (Sandra Knight). Curiosity leads Lt. Andre Duvalier (Jack Nicholson) to the castle of Baron Von Leppe (Boris Karloff), where he notices a painting of the Baron's late wife Ilsa, who looks identical to the ghostly woman. Determined to unravel the castle's mystery, Duvalier learns that the Baron has many terrifying secrets. Though officially credited to Corman, The Terror had a total of five collaborative directors, including Nicholson, Monte Hellman and Francis Ford Coppola.
THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is the insane story of Seymour (Jonathan Haze), a lonely florist, and his hungry plant, Audrey, for whom he goes to great lengths to ensure that his green friend is fed and happy. With a cast that also includes Dick Miller, Jackie Joseph, Mel Welles and a very young Jack Nicholson as a scene-stealing dental patient with a high threshold for pain, Corman and screenwriter Charles Griffith give us a comic horror masterpiece for the ages. A film so enduring that it inspired a Broadway musical, which led to a remake of the film that was nominated for two Oscars. See the original that started it all!
----- October 20, 2023 -----
** THE FIFTH THORACIC VERTEBRA: A creature born inside an abandoned mattress feasts on its victims' vertebrae while struggling to break free from the bed and its past.
** UNDERWORLD 4K UHD: Coming out 12/19 featuring a brand new HDR/Dolby Vision Master – from a 4K scan of the 35mm original camera negative.
** BREATHING IN: 1901, South Africa. As the Second Anglo-Boer War rages on, a wounded General seeks refuge in the small home of a woman and her young daughter. As the hurt man settles in, he begins noticing that something is off about the two women, particularly the daughter, and before long, he'll learn the real reason for why they've invited him and for how they've survived on their own for so long.
Adapting the beloved South African play of the same name, Jaco Bouwer, director of the SXSW smash GAIA, delivers a tense single-location chamber piece that steadily ratchets up the tension en route to revealing its ultimate chilling endgame.
** CREATURE: As you intended to let live, you awakened the beast inside you, Ziya! CREATURE by Cagan Irmak is only on Netflix on October 20th.
** THE WALKING DEAD THE ONES WHO LIVE: The story of Rick and Michonne is far from over.
----- October 19, 2023 -----
** SAW X: The films arrives October 20 on PVOD and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD November 21. The 4K transfer for SAW X features Jigsaw's highly anticipated return in eye-exploding HDR10, along with a terror-inducing Dolby Atmos audio mix. Special features include a multipart "making of" documentary called Reawakening, over a dozen deleted scenes, and more, totaling over three hours of bonus material.
** Chuck Norris and Vanilla Ice in ZOMBIE PLANE: 1980s action hero Chuck Norris, 1990s rapper Vanilla Ice have been revealed as the stars of ZOMBIE PLANE. The project is being backed by Studio Dome's Entertainment Squad and Aussie producer/distributor Radioactive.
The story centers on a secret government organization that recruits celebrities to be undercover agents, who together must save humanity from an imminent zombie attack. All three play versions of themselves with Norris as the 'Commander' who mentored and trained stars into becoming deadly secret agents – including Vanilla Ice. A bunch of celebrity cameos are included along with a 1990s pop soundtrack with some tracks by Ice himself. Lav Bodnaruk and Michael Pier direct the film which was shot earlier this year in Australia. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** CANDY LAND: Coming to Blu-ray on 2/6 as a limited edition. The film follows Remy (Olivia Luccardi), a seemingly naive and devout young woman, who finds herself cast out from her religious cult. With no place to turn, she immerses herself into the underground world of truck stop sex "lot lizards," courtesy of her hosts, Sadie (Sam Quartin), Riley (Eden Brolin), Liv (Virginia Rand) and Levi (Owen Campbell). Under the watchful eye of their matriarch, Nora (Guinevere Turner), and enigmatic local lawman, Sheriff Rex (William Baldwin), Remy navigates between her strained belief system and the lot lizard code to find her true calling in life.
** GHOSTS OF THE VOID: Spending the night in her car, a newly homeless woman wrestles with exhaustion, her crumbling marriage, and the threat of mysterious, masked strangers in the new film, GHOSTS OF THE VOID.
** IRON LUNG: Coming soon to theaters. The film is based on the 2022 horror game by David Szymanski.
----- October 18, 2023 -----
** V/H/S: Shudder, AMC Networks' premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, announced at New York Comic-Con a greenlight for the next installment of V/H/S, Studio71's hit found footage anthology franchise, revealing the seventh film's focus on sci-fi horror. The Shudder Original Film, which will feature five new bloodcurdling tapes, placing horror at the forefront of a sci-fi-inspired hellscape, will release in 2024.
The news comes on the heels of a record-breaking opening weekend for the latest installment, V/H/S/85, which debuted Friday, October 6 and became the most-watched exclusive film premiere of 2023 for Shudder and AMC+, driving Shudder's biggest acquisition day of the year on Saturday, October 7. Viewership for the film on AMC+ was also up 25% from last year's V/H/S/99.
** THE STRANGERS CHAPTER 1: Watch the first clip starring Madelaine Petsch that debuted at New York Comic Con.
** THE BOOGENS 4K UHD: Coming to 4K UHD on 1/30 from Kino Lorber.
** LISA FRANKENSTEIN: The Diablo Cody-penned new horror comedy film has set a February 9th 2024 release date. Focus Features is releasing the film which marks the feature directorial debut of Robin Williams' daughter Zelda Williams.
The story follows an unpopular high school student falling for a young man, who just happens to be a handsome Victorian corpse. After horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two lovers embark on a murderous journey to find love, happiness and a few missing body parts along the way says the synopsis. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** Danza Macabra Vol. Two The Italian Gothic Collection: Coming to 4K UHD/Blu-ray on 12/12 from Severin Films as an 8-disc 4K UHD and Blu-ray set. The films included are; CASTLE OF BLOOD 4K (1964), JEKYLL (1969), THEY HAVE CHANGED THEIR FACE (1971) and THE DEVIL'S LOVER (1972).
----- October 17, 2023 -----
** HALLOWEEN TV series: The TV rights to the popular horror movie franchise HALLOWEEN have been purchased by Miramax after an intense bidding war. Trancas International Films has signed a "wide-ranging deal" with Miramax to co-produce and develop a television series based on the HALLOWEENn franchise. The deal also comes with a first-look agreement in regards to other TV projects that are part of the international market.
The outlet notes that the new TV series will be closely overseen by Trancas International Film's Malek Akkad and Miramax Head of Global TV Marc Helwig. Not only that, but the show could reportedly serve as the beginning of a cinematic universe that would reach across television and movies.
"We couldn't be more excited to bring HALLOWEEN to television," Helwig stated. "We are thrilled to expand our long and successful partnership with Trancas and the brilliant Malek Akkad in introducing this iconic franchise to a new form of storytelling and a new generation of fans."
"Trancas International Films is extremely enthused to be expanding our long-standing relationship with Miramax, and we look forward to working with Marc Helwig and the entire team in creating this new chapter," Akkad stated. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** John Carpenter update: John Carpenter has returned to directing for his new series SUBURBAN SCREAMS, and he's open to helming another feature film under the right circumstances. Speaking in an interview with the L.A. Times, he said;
"Get the right one or the right budget — yeah, I'll do it. I don't want to work that much, though. Compared to music, it's so different because music is the purest art form there is", he says, and goes on to explain, "You don't have to talk about it, you don't have to explain it. I can play it, and somebody in Indonesia can just feel it. Across time, I can listen to Bach's St. Anne and tears come to my eyes just like when I first heard it, it's so profound. A human being wrote that. Wow. There's no comparison to that in any other form. But unfortunately, I fell in love with movies, which is the craziest, silliest art form there is." (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER: Here's the first look at the upcoming release we mentioned last week.
** PANDEMONIUM: Transgressive Production is excited to announce that Screamfest LA will host the October 14th US Premiere of PANDEMONIUM, the latest feature from filmmaker Quarxx (ALL THE GODS IN THE SKY). Drawing on themes found in Dante's Inferno and Milton's Paradise Lost, PANDEMONIUM is a multi-textured existential fantasy, topped with signature notes of visceral horror, disturbing fairy tale, wry comedy, and dark thriller. From the creative mind of Quarxx, comes this aesthetically stunning and relentlessly macabre tale.
** HAYRIDE TO HELL: Set on the Coxe Family Farm in rural Willis County, Farmer Sam (Bill Moseley) exacts his bloody revenge on unscrupulous local town-folk, including Sheriff Jubel (Kane Hodder), who menace him and attempt to steal the farm that has been in his family for 200 years.
----- October 16, 2023 -----
** ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE sequel: Director John McPhail has revealed there have been discussions about returning to the festive musical horror with a follow-up; "100%. We've chatted about it; we're all like the best of friends still." McPhail replied, "When we finished it, we were like, "Done, no sequel!" As we became the adults we were pointing the finger at in that film and got families and grown up, and feel like we've got something to say in that world. So yeah, definitely not right this second, but yeah." (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** THE EXORCIST DECEIVER: In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, THE EXORCIST BELIEVER director David Gordon Green cast doubt on his potential return for the 2025 sequel THE EXORCIST DECEIVER after revealing that he's currently trying to figure out what his next project will be.
"My intention is just to start making things, and as those plans come together, if I find myself in that [THE EXORCIST DECEIVER] director's chair, I'd be thrilled," Green said. "But right now, I'm navigating it from a story perspective and looking at my realities of life as I pivot."
However, the 2018 HALLOWEEN director admitted that he has already outlined the next two chapters of Blumhouse and Universal Pictures' THE EXORCIST sequel trilogy, which was first announced back in July 2021. To acquire the rights to the project, the studio signed an acquisition deal which reportedly cost over $400 million. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** Takashi Miike's AUDITION: Coming soon from Umbrella Entertainment as a 25th Anniversary Collector's Edition, which includes a Blu-ray, book, rigid case, slipcase, poster and artcards.
** Hammer Horror Vol 2 Collector's Edition: Coming to Blu-ray in January from Umbrella Entertainment.
** HUMANIST VAMPIRE SEEKING CONSENTING SUICIDAL PERSON: Here's the new poster for the upcoming film.
** Arrow Video update: Enter the Video Store Empire of Screams Standard Edition is coming out in December.
----- October 13, 2023 -----
** THE WAILING 4K UHD: Coming soon to 4K UHD from Well Go USA.
** BLACULA: Coming soon to Blu-ray from Sandpiper Pictures.
** HOUSE OF THE LONG SHADOWS: Coming December 12th from Kino Lorber.
** SQUEALER: Tyrese Gibson and Theo Rossi star in a terrifying thriller inspired by real events. When young women begin to disappear across a small town, a police officer and a street-smart social worker follow clues to a remote pig farm and discover the local butcher has been bringing his work home. Enter the world of a serial killer and experience the blood-curdling horror of a film bound to take your breath away.
** THE EXORCIST BELIEVER: Here's a look at the upcoming Best Buy and Walmart Steelbook exclusives.
----- October 12, 2023 -----
** Dario Argento's next horror film: Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner Isabelle Huppert will reportedly star in master genre filmmaker Dario Argento's new horror feature. Huppert was in attendance at the Lucca Film Festival in Tuscany during the final week of September where she received an award. She revealed to media during her appearance that she'll soon shoot Argento's next film which was to shoot this Spring but was postponed after the filmmaker suffered a fall that led to him fracturing a femur.
"I'm very happy to make this film with him, he's such a strange and original director, but for the moment, I can't say anything more." (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE EXORCIST BELIEVER: Universal Pictures hit trouble this weekend with the release of THE EXORCIST BELIEVER, the first of a planned trilogy aiming to revive the famed horror franchise. The film was utterly ripped apart by critics (23% on Rotten Tomatoes), and wasn't well received by audiences who awarded it a 'C' CinemaScore and a 58% on RT audience score.
The theatrical rights for three movies came with the price tag of $400 million, a number that according to The Hollywood Reporter includes the film's streaming rights for Peacock, and theme park extensions among other costs. The result was the film, which had been tracking to pull in up to $35 million for the weekend, fell woefully short – slipping to $26.5 million when the final numbers were in. Overseas the result wasn't much better with 52 markets pumping $17.6 million into its coffers for a global start of $44.2 million.
David Herrin, founder of tracking and research firm The Quorum, tells the trade: "Even if it had opened to $35 million… that would have been a disappointment" and says reviving beloved IP is not a guarantee of success. The film also faced a last-minute date change due to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour, limited marketing due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, and a busy horror marketplace with THE NUN II and SAW X still out there.
THR indicates that for now, the studio is still intent on producing two more films in the series. However the rough reception will likely "demand some degree of creative re-think" for the next two films. The first sequel was supposed to be called THE EXORCIST DECEIVER and has a completed script. Director David Gordon Green was likewise expected to return, but recently he teased that may no longer be the case.
Its also been indicated today (via Reddit that the film will be released on Digital on October 24th – making the jump from cinemas to PVOD in just 18 days. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER: The film will be available to purchase on digital, Blu-ray and DVD, starting on October 17. Its home video release will feature more than 30 minutes of bonus content including deleted scenes and an alternate opening. During its theatrical run, the film was considered a box office bomb after it failed to meet its box office expectations. It only earned a global gross of over $20 million against a reported budget of around $45 million. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** BLOOD AND SNOW: Two scientists uncover a meteorite impact site in the Arctic tundra, but it kills one scientist and infects the other. A nearby base takes in the lone survivor whilst trying to understand what happened. The lone survivor may not be the person they think she is.
** BLOOD FEAST 4K UHD: Coming to 4K UHD on 1/16 from Synapse Films.
----- October 11, 2023 -----
** IT'S A WONDERFUL KNIFE: A year after saving her town from a psychotic killer on Christmas Eve, Winnie Carruthers' life is less than wonderful — but when she wishes she'd never been born, she finds herself in a nightmare parallel universe and discovers that without her, things could be much, much worse. Now the killer is back, and she must team up with the town misfit to identify the killer and get back to her own reality. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE by way of SCREAM.
** NIGHT SWIM: A former major league baseball player, forced into early retirement by a degenerative illness, moves into a new home with his family. Secretly hoping, against the odds, to return to pro ball, Ray persuades Eve that the new home's shimmering backyard swimming pool will be fun for the kids and provide physical therapy for him. But a dark secret in the home's past will unleash a malevolent force that will drag the family under, into the depths of inescapable terror.
** THE HYPERBOREAN: A whiskey magnate summons his contentious family to sample his legacy product: casks of Scotch aged 170 years, recovered from a ghost ship in the Canadian Arctic.
** THE EXORCISTS: When his child is possessed by an unrelenting evil, a father hires three expert exorcists to purge the demon and save his family before it's too late. But this demon is merely the gatekeeper to a true hellion that will be unleashed on earth if the trio of exorcists fail.
----- October 10, 2023 -----
** THE EXORCIST BELIEVER 4K UHD: Here's a first look at the upcoming Steelbook edition.
** THE WELL: The gory supernatural horror, which had its World premiere at Sitges on Friday 6th Oct, stars Lauren LaVera (TERRIFIER 2) as Lisa Gray, a budding art restorer, who is summoned to a small Italian village by Dutchess Malvisi (Claudia Gerini) to bring a medieval painting back to its former glory. Little does she know she is placing her life in danger from an evil curse and a monster born of myth and brutal pain.
** THERE'S NOTHING OUT THERE: Rolfe Kanefsky's original cult classic meta-horror, THERE'S NOTHING OUT THERE, is getting the Ronin treatment - this new 2 disc commemorative edition features a new Ronin Flix 2023 2K Restoration, over 10 hours of bonus materials including new never-before-scene - or heard - audio commentaries, new opening sequence storyboards, and a curated collection of 10 of Rolfe's favorite 'home movies', plus archival features. and a limited edition slipcover, 16" x 20" retro mini-poster and reversible artwork.
** THE LOST: A new limited edition Blu-ray release of the acclaimed indie thriller, THE LOST, based on the infamous novel by the late, great Jack Ketchum is also hitting the streets packed with a new Ronin Flix 2K Remaster produced from a 4K scan of the original camera negative, NEW 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, and a collection of new and Archival bonus features that feature cast members Marc Senter, Robin Sydney, and Shay Astar, producer Lucky McKee, writer Jack Ketchum and director Chris Sivertson.
** PEEPING TOM 4K UHD: Coming soon to 4K UHD from Studiocanal.
----- October 6, 2023 -----
** HALLOWEEN back in theatres: CineLife Entertainment has partnered with Compass International Pictures and Trancas International Films to bring HALLOWEEN, HALLOWEEN 4 and HALLOWEEN 5 back to theatres and drive-ins worldwide. The version of Halloween being exhibited is a restored and remastered digital print, created under the supervision of the world-renowned cinematographer, Dean Cundey.
** FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S sequels: The film adaptation of the FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S video games arrives at the end of the month after several years in development. Speaking with EW recently, the film's director Emma Tammi says that she "hopes to be able to do more" with this franchise, suggesting a sequel could be on the way if the film does well enough that they can move forward with one.
She may get her wish. Recently Box-Office Pro posted long-range tracking projections for the film with the movie currently slated for an impressive opening weekend of $33-42 million. That's well above its cost-effective $25 million budget. It's doubly impressive considering the fact the film is launching simultaneously on Peacock. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** Indicator update: Coming soon to 4K UHD from Indicator are THE DAY AFTER HALLOWEEN (1979) and PATRICK (1978).
** THE HIVE: A couple returns home to armed strangers. With no help from their neighbors or law enforcement, they attempt to get evidence of the intrusion. They're captured by the intruders and tortured for information. There's no hope until Albie escapes and saves Penny. So hellbent on revenge, he puts their marriage on the line. Unfortunately, all help has been compromised and there's nowhere to run.
** THE LOCH NESS HORROR: Here's the trailer from the film, which will be released on Digital and DVD on November 7, 2023.
----- October 5, 2023 -----
** TERRIFIER 3: TERRIFIER 2 returns to cinema nationwide next month, and it comes with a special treat for fans, a first look at TERRIFIER 3! The movie will be in theaters from November 1, 2023, featuring a special introduction from Creator Damien Leone and a never-before-seen TERRIFIER 3 teaser, both exclusive to theaters. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** THE STRANGERS remake trilogy: Director Renny Harlin talked to Entertainment Weekly about the upcoming remake from which Harlin has directed a trilogy of movies inspired by filmmaker Bryan Bertino's original film. Here's the first official photos. (thanks to EW.com)
** THANKSGIVING: Will you survive the holidays? Check out the new trailer.
** Universal Classic Monsters 4K collection: The Universal Classic Monsters 4K collection that was due to be released this month has been delayed by four months. It's been caused by a problem with the packaging. It will now be released on February 13, 2024. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** THE WALKING DEAD The Complete Collection: Here's a look at the beautiful box set for the upcoming release.
----- October 4, 2023 -----
** SAW X: The prequel took second place domestically at the box office with an impressive $18 million which more than doubled the opening of prior installment SPIRAL. It pulled in a further $11.3 million from overseas for a worldwide debut of $29.3 million – excellent work for a movie that cost just $13 million. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE DEAD ZONE 4K UHD: Coming soon to 4K UHD from Scream Factory.
** THE RING Collection 4K UHD: Coming soon to 4K UHD from Scream Factory.
** MORTAL KOMBAT: According to MORTAL KOMBAT creator Ed Boon, looks like more horror icons could come to the video game series.
----- October 3rd, 2023 -----
** THE NUN II 4K UHD: Coming to 4K UHD on 11/14 from Warner Brothers.
** PEARL and RENFIELD 4K UHD: Coming soon to 4K UHD Steelbook from Turbine. PEARL shines as UHD World Premiere in Limited Edition Steelbook. Out in December in a limited 2-disc Steelbook (Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray). The UHD will conjure you home the dazzling Technicolor nightmare in HDR 10 and Dolby Vision. Both discs have the official Dolby Atmos mixes in German and English. Among other things, Mia Goth and Ti West speak out in the bonus material.
RENFIELD - UHD world premiere of the action-splatter-comedy with Nicolas Cage as Dracula. In December, the limited 2-disc Steelbook (Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray) will be released in a slipcase. Nicolas Cage conquers your home theaters on UHD in HDR 10 and Dolby Vision. Both discs feature the official Dolby Atmos mixes in German and English. In addition, there's over an hour of bonus material!
** THE ENFIELD POLTERGEIST: London. 1977. Dread. An upcoming documentary streaming on Apple TV+ on October 27, 2023. Experience the chilling true story of the world's most famous poltergeist case through original audio recordings made inside the house as the events unfolded.
** HOUSE OF DOLLS: Three estranged sisters return home to collect an inheritance only to confront each other and trigger a downward spiral of murder inside of a giant Doll House.
----- October 2nd, 2023 -----
** HIGH TENSION 4K UHD: Limited edition 4K UHD & Blu-ray to be released November 27th! New director approved HDR grade, commentary, interviews archive material and more! Also includes 70-page book and art cards. Big thanks to our contributors! Standard editions also available.
** THE TOXIC AVENGER remake: The remake follows struggling everyman-janitor Winston Gooze, who is transformed by a horrible toxic accident into a new evolution of hero: The Toxic Avenger! Now with super-human strength and wielding a glowing mop for his unconventional weapon, he must race against time to save his son and stop a ruthless and power-hungry corporate tyrant bent on harnessing toxic superpowers to strengthen his polluted empire.
** Blumhouse's FRIDAY THE 13th: In an interview with Inverse (via Screen Rant), Jason Blum's right-hand man Ryan Ture says that franchise would be the one the studio would like to tackle next. At the same time they'd aim to use an old-school approach focusing on what made the franchise so memorable:
"Jason [Blum] and I are definitely in agreement that FRIDAY THE 13th is the thing we would love to get our hands on. I really want to go back to the basics. You don't need too many ingredients for a FRIDAY THE 13th film. You need summer camp, you need campers, and you need Jason Voorhees in a mask.
Listen, I've gone on the record saying HALLOWEEN is the ultimate slasher film for me. That's my favorite slasher film of all time. But FRIDAY THE 13th as a franchise is one that I just bow down to. I just love everything about it. And if we were able to live in both worlds, like we do with HALLOWEEN, then to be able to live at Crystal Lake for a while would be so incredible. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** CHILD'S PLAY 4K UHD: A toybox of terror featuring brand new 4K restorations and an exclusive behind the scenes documentary. Welcome to a blood-soaked dollhouse of mayhem.
----- October 1st, 2023 -----
HALLOWEEN H20 20 YEARS LATER
Laurie Strode, now the dean of a Northern California private school with an assumed name, must battle the Shape one last time, as the life of her own son hangs in the balance.
An overhyped and disappointing sequel plagued by the lack of tension, worst looking mask of the series and ridiculous orchestral soundtrack.
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Paramount Pictures have released the film on 4K UHD physical disc. It features a 2.35:1 Dolby Vision and HDR10 transfer using a H.265 codec. The film looks good but its nothing exceptional much like its original theatrical run. The English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sounds good. There is also French Dolby Digital 2.0 and German Dolby Digital 5.1. Also English, French, German and Mandarin subtitles are available.
Surprisingly, there are absolutely no extras, not even the trailer. It does come with a Digital Code. And finally, it features a nice slipcover.
** NIGHT OF THE HUNTED: In the dead of night, a remote gas station turns into a battleground of wits and wills. Can one woman outsmart a hidden sniper with a secret vendetta? Streaming October 20th on Shudder.
** Umbrella Entertainment update: Coming out in December. First, we have the dark chiller STIGMATA. Starring Patricia Arquette, this red-drenched Collector's Edition comes with new custom art, new written content, a NEW audio commentary with Tristen Fidler and Simon Miraudo, and more!
Next, we have George A. Romero's classic psychotic simian shocker MONKEY SHINES. Filled to the brim with in-depth archival extra features, this Collector's Edition comes with ALL NEW rigid case art and a 48-page book containing NEW essays from Lee Gambin, Jarret Gahan, and more!
Lastly, we have our second MONSTER FEST PRESENTS partner label release - the blood-soaked Murder City slaughter-fest RIBSPREADER. Directed by Adelaide's favourite punk Dick Dale, this Troma-esque video nasty comes jam-packed with extras, an exclusive slipcover, and a double-sided poster.
** THE DARK AND THE WICKED 4K UHD: Coming to 4K UHD 1/26/24. Includes a booklet, German language version, English original sound sound in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Q&A, interview and trailer.
** SISTER DEATH: In post-war Spain, Narcisa (Aria Bedmar), a young novice with supernatural powers, arrives at a former convent, now a school for girls, to become a teacher. As the days go by, the strange events and increasingly disturbing situations that torment her will eventually lead her to unravel the terrible skein of secrets that surround the convent and haunt its inhabitants.
Paco plaza returns to the VERONICA universe to uncover the origin of the enigmatic SISTER DEATH. The film will premiere at the Sitges Film Festival. October 27th on Netflix.**
----- September 28, 2023 -----
** CHRISTMAS EVIL and SISTERS remake: Pressman Film CEO Sam Pressman has discussed dipping into the company's library of valuable IP for future projects, and a couple of notable genre gems were highlighted as potential remake/reimagining material., which include CHRISTMAS EVIL and SISTERS.
"We've been doing some really cool stuff that I can't quite divulge, but there are a number of avenues that, when the writers strike is over, we'll be able to push forward on," says Pressman, who is the son of legendary producer Ed Pressman, "We've had a lot of fun going through the library looking for these hidden gems that can make great TV series or anime adaptations or stage plays – there are some interesting things brewing in that regard." (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** RESIDENT EVIL 4K UHD: Coming out as a SteelBook collection on November 21, 2023.
** IT'S A WONDERFUL KNIFE: RLJE Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, along with Shudder, AMC Networks' premium service for horror, thriller, and the supernatural, have acquired all English-Language Territory rights to the horror film, which will make its world premiere at Beyond Fest on October 8, 2023. It will be released exclusively in theaters across the country on November 10th. The film will then stream on Shudder at a later date. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** HELL HOUSE LLC ORIGINS THE CARMICHAEL MANOR: In 2021, a group of internet sleuths travel to the remote Carmichael Manor deep in the woods of the Rockland County, New York - site of the infamous 1989 Carmichael family murders that have gone unsolved to this day. What they discover are secrets that have been hidden away for decades and a terror that has been lurking in the shadows long before Hell House LLC.
----- September 27, 2023 -----
** THE STRANGLER: Here's the new poster for the 2K restoration of Paul Vecchiali's underseen 1970 French arthouse giallo THE STRANGER has been released, courtesy of Altered Innocence. The film will screen at the upcoming Fantastic Fest and New York Film Festival before opening in select US theaters this fall with a VOD and physical media release to follow. (thanks to Letterboxd)
** FEAR THE WALKING DEAD: Can Madison protect everyone from Troy Otto and his army of the dead? Find out on the final episodes of FEAR THE WALKING DEAD premiering October 22nd on AMC and AMC+.
** THE ELDERLY: Following the sudden suicide of his wife, Manuel begins acting violently strange. Soon a series of paranormal events has all of the local elderly behaving oddly. They all seem to know something the young do not - paired with a lust for blood. October 13 (Theatrical) & October 31 (VOD & Blu-Ray).
** KILLHER: Four friends head to the woods for a pre-bachelorette party. They soon realize they've set up camp next to a mysterious recluse and he is not a happy camper. Things only gets worse when people start to die and a terrible secret is revealed.
** PARANORMAL ACTIVITY stage play: Veteran producer Simon Friend has scored the license to the Paramount horror movie series PARANORMAL ACTIVITY. The plan is to adapt the property for London's West End with Levi Holloway set to pen the script. The project is described as being in early development. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
----- September 26, 2023 -----
** More HALLOWEEN: Last year's HALLOWEEN ENDS marked not just the end of the recent David Gordon Green-directed sequel trilogy of films, but also Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions' final outing for that franchise. The film series is now back with its original owners at Miramax and the company is actively shopping the rights to the HALLOWEEN franchise around Hollywood. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** WAKE UP from TURBO KID directors: A group of young activists set out to make an environmental statement by vandalizing a home superstore as it closes. But their plan goes terribly wrong when they become trapped inside and must face a deranged security guard with a gruesome passion for primitive hunting. As the night fills with violence and terror, the teenagers find themselves in a desperate fight for their lives.
** THE NUN 2: The film brought in $8.4 million for its third domestic weekend, just ahead of THE EXPENDABLES 4. It marked a low point for the year at the box office, with no film breaking the $10 million barrier. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** CREEPSHOW Season 4: Coming to Blu-ray 12/5 from RLJE Films and Shudder.
** FOR NIGHT WILL COME: Here's a clip for the upcoming film EN ATTENDANT LA NUIT.
----- September 25, 2023 -----
** SAW X sequels: SAW X producers Mark Burg and Oren Koules already have plans to bring Jigsaw back for an eleventh SAW movie. Speaking with the ComicBook web site, Koules confirmed they've already begun discussing where the SAW franchise could be headed after the upcoming tenth film.
"We're kind of superstitious," Koules said. "We tend not to get too far ahead of ourselves. The movie's going to be released in a few days. For us, we do have ideas for the next one, we haven't put pen to paper. But this is his story, we really wanted it to be John Kramer's story and tell a John Kramer story. So for the first 30 minutes of the movie, he's John Kramer, you don't have any hint of Jigsaw." (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** SMILE sequel: Paramount Pictures has announced an October 18th 2024 release date for a sequel to last year's surprise horror hit SMILE. The project was made directly for streaming but was then upgraded to a theatrical release. The film was considered one of the most profitable movies of last year, pulling in $216 million globally from a $17 million budget and making its filmmaker Parker Finn one to watch. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE MEG 2 THE TRENCH: Max has announced that THE MEG 2 THE TRENCH will be coming to its service on September 29th – less than two months after its release in theaters. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** TERRIFIER 2 4K UHD: Here's a look at the upcoming 4K UHD Steelbook.
** MAUSOLEUM: Coming to Blu-ray 10/30 from Treasured Films.
----- September 22, 2023 -----
** FINAL DESTINATON 6: Tony Todd has reportedly been set to reprise his role as coroner William Bludworth in the upcoming sixth FINAL DESTINATON film at New Line Cinema. This would be Todd's fourth appearance in the series following the original 2000 film, its 2003 sequel, and the 2011 fifth movie. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** UNDERWORLD TV series: In an interview with Entertainment Weekly to commemorate UNDERWORLD's 20th anniversary, creator Len Wiseman confirmed that the television series is still in the works. Asked if there was any plans to bring UNDERWORLD back in any fashion, Wiseman replied, "There is a fashion that is in the works. I can't talk about it, but there is a future to UNDERWORLD for sure."
There is only a crumb of information there, but when asked what happened about the talk of an UNDERWORLD TV show back in the day, he bluntly replies, "That's the one I'm referring to." (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** SUITABLE FLESH: Psychiatrist Elizabeth Derby becomes obsessed with helping a young patient suffering extreme personality disorder. But it leads her into dark occult danger as she tries to escape a horrific fate.
** SAW X: In theaters September 29th!
** THE EXORCIST BELIEVER: Only in theaters October 6th.
----- September 21, 2023 -----
** THE TOXIC AVENGER remake: Here's a first look at THE TOXIC AVENGER remake starring Elijah Wood, Peter Dinklage, Taylour Paige, and Kevin Bacon. The film will have its world premiere at Fantastic Fest. (thanks to Letterboxd)
** MAXXXINE: UK horror magazine Scream has a source that told them MAXXXINE will be presented as a "whodunnit slasher". Previously, we'd discovered that MAXXXINE would take place in 1985 with Mia Goth reprising her role of Maxine Minx from X. It picks up six years after the farmstead massacre of X. Maxine is now residing in LA and still striving to become a star in the acting world. But her chances are hampered by the fact people keep dying around her. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** AMONG THE DEAD: Yoshimoto Kogyo and People of Culture Studios have found a director for their found footage zombie movie. Variety revealed that Japanese comedian and director Shinagawa Hiroshi will take up the mantle for the film written by father/daughter team Andy and Charlie Danger Crosby.
In the upcoming film, a zombie apocalypse occurs, and one emotionally unstable man abandons friends and family to go live among the few remaining zombies before they're all gone. He hopes to better understand the zombies and document their final days, but his efforts become a document of his own final days. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** RAGING GRACE: Brainstorm Media is thrilled to announce it has acquired North American rights to acclaimed horror drama RAGING GRACE from international sales agent, Blue Finch Films. The film is written and directed by BIFA-nominee Paris Zarcilla. The film's unique narrative and impeccable execution have earned it widespread acclaim and recognition within the film festival circuit and beyond. The acquisition reinforces Brainstorm Media's commitment to bringing independent films to audiences, as the company continues its partnership with Music Box Films under their genre label, Doppelganger Releasing. (thanks to ScreenAnarchy.com)
** VAMPIRES AND OTHER STEREOTYPES: The first feature from prolific 1990s Shot-On-Video writer, producer, director Kevin J. Lindenmuth, VAMPIRES AND OTHER STEREOTYPES delivers both the creatures and characters that perfectly illustrate the kind of homemade, offbeat genre movies that the video store era brought forth.
----- September 20, 2023 -----
** THE MONSTER SQUAD 4K: Coming November 28th on 4K UHD & Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics from a brand new HDR/Dolby Vision Master – from a 4K Scan of the 35mm original camera negative.
** THE BOOGEYMAN: The Rob Savage-directed adaptation of the Stephen King short story THE BOOGEYMAN has reportedly set a premiere date of October 5th on Hulu. The film was recently released on PVOD platforms. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** YOU'LL NEVER FIND ME: AMC's horror streaming service Shudder has picked up the rights to Josiah Allen and Indianna Bell's directorial debut YOU'LL NEVER FIND ME. The Australian horror thriller debuted at Tribeca back in June, and is set to head to Shudder next year.
An isolated man (Brendan Rock) living at the back of a desolate caravan park is visited by a desperate young woman (Jordan Cowan) seeking shelter from a violent storm. As the savage storm worsens, these solitary souls begin to feel threatened, but who should feel more threatened? (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** LAST STRAW: Set over one night in a dusty roadside diner, LAST STRAW follows Nancy (Belkin), a young waitress working alone on the late shift. As a series of chaotic events spiral out of control, Nancy finds herself in a fight for her life when she is terrorized by a group of masked assailants. No one is who they appear to be, and with nowhere to turn, she must do everything she can to survive the night.
** HERD: When a woman running from her past is trapped between a zombie outbreak and warring militia groups, she must fight for love and survival.
----- September 19, 2023 -----
** V/H/S 85: Here's the poster for the upcoming anthology.
** CHRISTINE remake: In 1983, genre film legend John Carpenter took on a job adapting Stephen King's novel CHRISTINE onto film. In 2021, Sony and Blumhouse announced plans for a remake of the film, with Bryan Fuller penning the script and directing.
With the original turning forty this year, Total Film sat down with both Carpenter himself and the film's star Keith Gordon to discuss the movie's legacy. In the chat, Carpenter was asked about Fuller's reboot, saying: "Oh boy. Well, good luck to him. It will probably be better."
Gordon, meanwhile, had a much longer answer: "I think he's really talented and a good person to do it. I mean, I don't have a negative feeling about people remaking something, especially 40 years later. CHRISTINE could be told in a different way and not be an insult to the original. There's a very short list of untouchable classics that should never be remade – films where their groundbreaking-ness or idiosyncrasy is what makes them special. I wouldn't want to see anybody's remake of CITIZEN KANE, or 2001, or RAGING BULL."
Carpenter still regards his CHRISTINE as just "a job," one he needed after he was fired from another Stephen King adaptation – FIRESTARTER – because his own THE THING opened poorly with critics and at the box-office. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE CONFERENCE: What begins as team-building fun, descends into a nightmare as a mysterious masked killer begins stalking and picking off the participants one by one. THE CONFERENCE is a slasher comedy that is based on Mats Strandbergs book by the same name. Premieres October 13 only on Netflix.
** ABERRANCE: When city dwellers Erkhmee and Selenge arrive at an old cabin deep in the Mongolian wilds, a sense of foreboding settles over the couple. Erkhmee' seemingly keen desire to provide a safe and nurturing space for his artistic wife is at odds with the violent actions and mannerisms their quizzical neighbor observes. As the neighbor digs deeper for the reason behind this aberrant behavior, only more questions and trouble arise.
----- September 18, 2023 -----
** John Carpenter's SUBURBAN SCREAMS: A genre-busting unscripted horror anthology series from the mind of legendary director, writer, and producer, John Carpenter. The series explores the dark secrets and unspeakable evil that sometimes lurks beneath the surface of the sun-drenched streets, manicured lawns and friendly neighbors of suburbia. Each episode focuses on one true tale of terror, told by the real people who lived through it. Their firsthand accounts are brought to life through premium cinematic scene-work, news clips, home photos, and archival footage, combining the visual language of horror films with the tools and techniques of documentaries, creating a uniquely frightening experience for viewers.
** THE PUPPETMAN: Evil pulls the strings and he's chosen who's next. Don't miss the premiere of THE PUPPETMAN October 13th on Shudder.
** GRIEVE: Sam has lost someone close to him, and life has become blurry and unrecognizable. When his mother suggests a relaxing getaway at her forest vacation home, Sam seizes the opportunity — unaware that an age-old entity, one that feeds on sadness and twists fragile minds into psychedelic hellscapes, dwells in those woods, hungry and waiting.
** APPENDAGE: After hitting a breaking point, Hannah's inner thoughts physicalize into a monstrous creature that threatens to upend her life.
** THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE BARN: Here's the teaser trailer for the upcoming film.
----- September 15, 2023 -----
** THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER: From Mike Flanagan, a wicked horror series based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Ruthless siblings Roderick and Madeline Usher have built Fortunato Pharmaceuticals into an empire of wealth, privilege, and power. But past secrets come to light when the heirs to the Usher dynasty start dying at the hands of a mysterious woman from their youth.
** DARK HARVEST: The story unfolds in a cursed town where the annual harvest becomes a brutal battle for survival. On Halloween 1963, Sawtooth Jack, a terrifying legend, rises from the cornfields, threatening the town's children. Groups of boys unite to defeat the murderous scarecrow before midnight. Richie, a rebellious outcast, joins the run, motivated by his brother's previous victory. As the hunt progresses, Richie makes a shocking discovery and faces a pivotal choice to break the relentless cycle.
Directed by David Slade (30 DAYS OF NIGHT). Casey Likes, Emyri Crutchfield, Dustin Ceithamer, Elizabeth Reaser, Jeremy Davies and Luke Kirby co-star. "Dark Harvest" premieres on VOD on October 13th.
** NIGHTMARE: As Mona's dreams intensify, a sinister force lurks. She soon finds out not all nightmares stop when you wake up. Don't miss NIGHTMARE, premiering on Shudder September 29th.
** GOOSEBUMPS: Sony Television's new GOOSEBUMPS series is one month away, and a new poster has been unveiled to mark the occasion. The horror comedy series, a reimagining of the 1995 Nickelodeon show, follows a group of five high schoolers who unleash supernatural forces upon their town and must all work together to save it. They will also learn plenty about their parents' teenage secrets as they go. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
----- September 14, 2023 -----
** TOTALLY KILLER: They had so much time to kill in the '80s. Streaming on Prime Video October 6th. Thirty-five years after the shocking murder of three teens, the infamous "Sweet Sixteen Killer" returns on Halloween night to claim a fourth victim. Seventeen-year-old Jamie ignores her overprotective mom's warning and comes face-to-face with the masked maniac and, on the run for her life, accidentally time-travels to 1987, the year of the original killings. Forced to navigate the unfamiliar and outrageous culture of the 1980s, Jamie teams up with her teen mom to take down the killer once and for all, before she's stuck in the past forever.
** HUMANIST VAMPIRE SEEKING CONSENTING SUICIDAL PERSON: Ariane Louis-Seize's deadpan horror comedy finds droll humour in the plight of a young Montreal bloodsucker who can only feed on people for whom she feels sympathy.
** WHAT REMAINS OF US: A first look photo has been released of the Kit Harington-led horror feature WHAT REMAINS OF US which also stars James Cosmo, Ashleigh Cummings and Caoilinn Springall and hails from director Alexander J. Farrell. Deep in rural England, a girl grows up in her family's isolated, fortified compound where she begins to question her unusual life. She discovers that once a month her father (Harington) turns into a monster. When he escapes the girl has to confront the harsh reality of her father's identity. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** WINNIE THE POOH BLOOD & HONEY 2: Here's the first images from the upcoming film.
----- September 13, 2023 -----
** THE STRANGERS remake trilogy: Bryan Bertino's 2008 home invasion horror THE STRANGERS is being rebooted into a whole new trilogy which is seemingly releasing in 2024. Lionsgate confirmed the news just before the weekend, and Deep Blue Sea director Renny Harlin appears to be in the hot seat for the project. Intriguingly, it seems like the entire trilogy is set to release in the same year. The project is set to be fully unveiled at next month's New York Comic Con where Harlin and producer Courtney Solomon will be in attendance. A social media post revealed these details about NYCC, and gave us a glimpse of one of the established killers from the original movie. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** THE GOLDSMITH: A trio of desperate criminals break into the country house of an elderly goldsmith to rob jewelry in his workshop. They soon discover that old people are anything but defenseless as they experience the most terrifying experience of their lives.
** MALIBU HORROR STORY: The film follows a team of amateur paranormal investigators as they delve into a 10 year old unresolved case, the disappearance of four popular high school boys on graduation night. While exploring a sacred cave in the hills of Malibu California, the team encounters chilling paranormal occurrences. As they analyze footage from the missing teens' camera, they make a terrifying discovery involving an ancient curse which forces them to confront their own worst fears and unravel the sinister truth behind the boys' vanishing.
** CADDY HACK: A struggling golf course suffers a string of caddy murders at the paws of pesticide-mutated gofers, while the greedy owner of the facility tries to cover up the carnage and an unhinged groundkeeper wages all out war on the vicious vermin.
----- September 11, 2023 -----
** DEATHGASM 2 GOREMAGEDDON: The world of heavy metal and horror is soon to get louder, bloodier, and more frenzied as the highly anticipated crowd-funding campaign for DEATHGASM 2 GOREMAGEDDON officially kicks off on September 25, 2023 via Kickstarter. Following the tremendous success of the cult-classic DEATHGASM, fans can now play an active role in bringing the sequel to life and unleashing a new wave of head-banging chaos to the world.
Director Jason Lei Howden (DEATHGASM), known for his knack for blending horror and humour seamlessly, is back at the helm to ensure the sequel delivers a relentless onslaught of gore, laughter, and demonic mayhem.
The film will be produced in New Zealand as a joint effort by Nick Garrett of Fish.Ent and Grant Bradley of Aristos Films, with L.A.-based director BJ McDonnell attached as Executive Producer. Toronto-based genre film specialist Raven Banner is on board to handle world sales and oversee production of the physical goods for the crowdfunding campaign.
** TWILIGHT OF THE DEAD: Filmmaker Brad Anderson (SESSION 9) has been set to direct TWILIGHT OF THE DEAD, the seventh and final installment of George A. Romero's official 'Living Dead' franchise at Roundtable Entertainment.
Romero had reportedly written a treatment for the movie before he passed in 2017. Joe Knetter, Robert Lucas, and Paolo Zelati, who also worked on the treatment with Romero, have now finished the script. First revealed back in 2021, the film unfolds on a tropical island and deals with the last humans on earth who are caught between factions of the undead. As usual, there's sociopolitical commentary amongst the genre trappings.
Suzanne Romero, John Baldecchi, Sarah Donnelly, Paolo Zelati and Stephanie Caleb produce. Shooting is expected to start later this year in Puerto Rico. Anderson says in a statement:
"George Romero's 1968 classic NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD may have been the first real horror movie I ever saw and its shock value, its keen social relevance, and even the means by which it was made were all hugely inspirational to me. This too is a zombie movie in which limbs fly and heads roll, but one that is also about social transformation, one that asks the question: What is it to be human? It is also a horror movie with "heart" and, dare I say, hope."
The project is entirely separate from an untitled sequel to NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD at MGM, which Nikyatu Jusu is helming. The Romero estate isn't involved in that. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE NUN II: The film has scared up a storm at the global box-office this weekend. THE CONJUTING spin-off sequel pulled in a global $85.3 million launch with $32.6 million domestically and $52.7 million overseas. That overseas start is the second biggest opening for THE CONJUTING universe, behind only the first THE NUN film and considerably above many other horror launches this year. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** VINDICTA: When a city is terrorized by a sadistic serial killer, a seasoned detective and a newly recruited paramedic are forced into a deadly game of vengeance, only to discover the key to stopping the bloodshed lies in unlocking the truth of their own haunted pasts. Elena Kampouris, Sean Astin, and Jeremy Piven star in this edge-of-your-seat thriller from the director of ON A WING AND A PAYER. In select theatres and available to buy on Digital on October 6, 2023.
----- September 7, 2023 -----
** RED ROOMS (LES CHAMBRES ROUGES): Utopia has acquired US rights to Pascal Plante's cyber horror thriller RED ROOMS, which has also been picked up by distributor La Aventura in Spain.
** THANKSGIVING: Eli Roth returns to horror. After a Black Friday riot ends in tragedy, a mysterious Thanksgiving-inspired killer terrorizes Plymouth, Massachusetts – the birthplace of the infamous holiday.
** SAW X: Here's yet another poster for the upcoming film.
** PET SEMATARY BLOODLINES: The MPA has rated the Paramount Plus original movie with an R rating for horror violence, gore, and language.
** WHEN EVIL LURKS: Coming soon to theaters. The residents of a small rural town discover that a demon is about to be born among them. They desperately try to escape before the evil is born, but it may be too late.
----- September 6, 2023 -----
** NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU: 20th Century Studios has released the trailer for the highly anticipated upcoming sci-fi horror film! The film is set to be released in the United States by Hulu on September 22nd and will air on Star+ in Latin America and Disney+ in other territories the same day.
** Paramount Scares Vol. 1: Get ready for a season of haunting entertainment with Paramount Scares Vol. 1, Paramount Home Entertainment's inaugural, limited-edition collection of chilling films, arriving October 24, 2023.
Fans can plumb the depths of the horror genre with this collectible box set featuring five unforgettable movies, all in eye-popping 4K Ultra HD, along with over four hours of legacy special features and exclusive collectible items. Housed in deluxe packaging, each of the following films is presented in a special sleeve with artwork exclusive to the collection: ROSEMARY'S BABY (1968), PET SEMETARY (1989), SMILE (2022), CRAWL (2019) and a mystery title!
The Paramount Scares Vol. 1 Limited-Edition 4K Ultra HD Box Set also boasts collectible items, including an exclusive, full-size Fangoria magazine produced especially for the release.This special edition of the celebrated publication—"first in fright" since 1979—features a curated selection of new and classic articles from the magazine's archives. The set also includes a Paramount Scares enamel pin, unique stickers, and access to a Digital copy of each film.
** THE EXORCIST BELIEVER: Exactly 50 years ago this fall, the most terrifying horror film in history landed on screens, shocking audiences around the world. Now, on Friday, October 13, a new chapter begins. From Blumhouse and director David Gordon Green, who shattered the status quo with their resurrection of the HALLOWEEN franchise, comes THE EXORCIST BELIEVER.
** Charles Band's BARBENHEIMER: PUPPET MASTER horror franchise creator Charles Band announced plans to produce an indie film called BARBENHEIMER about a group of fed-up female dolls attempting to build an atomic bomb. That film is targeting a Christmas 2023 release on Prime Video. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** WORKING CLASS GOES TO HELL: The factory that once employed the entire town and surrounding villages has been closed down due to a questionable privatization process, coinciding with a tragic incident where a group of its workers perished in a deliberately set fire. The remaining workers, devastated by the loss of their loved ones and the subsequent corrupt sale of the factory, initiate protests, but their efforts seem futile, yielding no concrete results. Feeling abandoned not only by the authorities but also by their cherished church, they find themselves seeking solace and answers in the supernatural.
A charismatic woman named Svetlana (Tamara Krcunovic), an ex-convict Miya (Leon Lucev), and other determined workers band together to explore mystical avenues for hope and justice. As they clumsily delve into the mysterious realm, they undergo social, emotional, and sexual liberation, and unexpectedly tap into an inner power they didn't know they possessed.
----- September 5, 2023 -----
** TERRIFIER 2: The film will be coming back to theaters for another run after the indie horror smash racked up an impressive $11 million at the box office last October. Director Damien Leone teased something new to tide over fans patiently waiting for the third entry in the gory series to drop in 2024;
"This year has been unlike anything we could have imagined. To see all the love TERRIFIER 2 has received and the excitement this release has inspired from fans new and old, is truly beyond words. As a thank you to them and the many people who worked tirelessly on this release, we want to bring it back to the big screen where it belongs.
And more than that, while fans eagerly await the release of TERRIFIER 3 next year, we will be including some special surprises because a year is just too long to wait." (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** AMERICAN HORROR STORY DELICATE: FX and Hulu have announced a September 20th premiere date for its newest entry in the long-running horror anthology series AMERICAN HORROR STORY DELICATE. Marking the twelfth season of the show, the new season sees co-creator Ryan Murphy getting out of the showrunner hot duties. Emma Roberts, Zachary Quinto, Cara Delevigne and Kim Kardashian also star. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** V/H/S/85: The found footage franchise is returning with the sixth installment so get ready to journey back to the '80s. V/H/S/85 premieres Friday, October 6th on Shudder.
** SISTER DEATH: Paco Plaza, who directed the Spanish horror movie series [REC] alongside Jaume Balagueró, returns to the world of his previous Netflix venture VERONICA with a prequel called HERMANA MUERTE (aka SISTER DEATH). In post-war Spain, Narcisa (Aria Bedmar), a young novice with supernatural powers, arrives at a former convent, now a school for girls, to become a teacher. As the days go by, the strange events and increasingly disturbing situations that torment her will eventually lead her to unravel the terrible skein of secrets that surround the convent and haunt its inhabitants. Netflix confirmed the movie would get a release in October, but there's no exact date just yet. (thanks to ComingSoon.net)
** THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE: A multiplayer horror game based on "true events", this trailer highlights map time variants and game objectives through the gameplay of The Slaughter Family and their Victims.
----- September 4, 2023 -----
** SAW X: Here's a new poster for the upcoming film.
** Hammer Films: Renowned British theater producer John Gore has acquired iconic British horror label Hammer Films and Studios. Gore will lead a new team as chair and CEO. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** THE EXORCIST BELIEVER: Blumhouse Productions CEO and founder Jason Blum has revealed that THE EXORCIST BELIEVER release date has been moved up from Friday, October 13 to Friday, October 6./font>
** THE BLACK DEMON: Thanks to a hugely successful streaming debut on Amazon Prime Video, a sequel to the Latino market-targeted supernatural giant shark movie THE BLACK DEMON is looking likely to get a sequel.
Made for under $10 million with only a small marketing spend, the film was released theatrically by indie outlet The Avenue on April 28th to scathing reviews of just 12% (3.6/10) from 26 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Subsequent reviews have been added, pushing the number up to a slightly better 31%. The film made just under $3 million theatrically, and the film was quickly released to digital on May 30th and disc on July 11th. However, it was the SVOD premiere on Amazon Prime last Tuesday where it suddenly turned heads. Producer Javier Chapa tells THR that while the writers and actors strikes may be halting any dealmaking for now, there is already talk of a sequel. (thanks to DarkHorizons.com)
** ZOMBIE TOWN: Here's the poster for the upcoming film.
----- September 1st, 2023 -----
** Severin Films 4K UHD update: Coming soon to 4K UHD from Severin Films are LAST CANNIBAL WORLD, MOUNTAIN OF THE CANNIBAL GOD, EATEN ALIVE and DOCTOR BUTCHER M.D.
** THE KILLER: After a fateful near-miss, an assassin battles his employers and himself on an international manhunt he insists isn't personal. In select theaters and on Netflix November 10th.
** SATURN BOWLING: When his father dies, Guillaume, a police officer, inherits the family bowling alley and decides to give it to his half-brother Armand. But the gift is cursed, setting off a series of brutal murders. Both brothers find themselves drawn into a demon-filled abyss and will have to face their tainted heritage. Darkness reigns over their world where the only rules are the rules of the hunt. In Theaters September 22, 2023. Available On Demand Everywhere October 24, 2023.
** FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY'S: This Halloween, Freddy and the gang are dying to meet you. In theaters and streaming on Peacock October 27th.
** MY ANIMAL: Bobbi Salvör Menuez and Amandla Stenberg ignite in this genre-bending supernatural love story. Tormented by a hidden family curse, Heather is forced to live a secluded life on the outskirts of a small town. When she falls for the rebellious Jonny, their connection threatens to unravel Heather's suppressed desires, tempting her to unleash the animal within. After its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, the film will arrive in select theaters on September 8. It will then be followed by its digital release on September 15.
