Horror Industry News — Wednesday, February 18, 2026

John Zaozirny comments on AI's limited market impact in entertainment products, suggesting AI-generated content will be niche and personal.

Lee Cronin wrote and directed The Mummy, a New Line horror feature about a family reunited with their daughter transformed into a living mummy; stars Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, May Calamawy; producers include James Wan, Jason Blum; April 17 theatrical release; Cronin previously directed Evil Dead Rise ($147M global 2023); key crew named.

Over Your Dead Body, an R-rated bloody action comedy remake of 2021 Norwegian film The Trip, premieres at SXSW before April 24 theatrical release via Independent Film Company; stars Jason Segel, Samara Weaving; directed by Jorma Taccone; produced by 87North, XYZ Films, Resolute Films.

Found footage horror Bodycam streams March 13 on Shudder and AMC+; directed by Brandon Christensen from co-written script with Ryan Christensen; stars Jaime Callica, Sean Rogerson; produced by Christensen, Chris Ball, Kurtis David Harder; executive producers include Kerry Cooper and Nina Kolokouri.

A24 releasing slow-burn horror undertone in theaters March 13; stars Nina Kiri; paranormal podcast host protagonist; feature debut of writer-director Ian Tuason who will helm new Paranormal Activity; produced by Slaterverse Pictures and Black Fawn Films with execs from Spooky Pictures, Kino Studios; premiered at Fantasia and Sundance with seven-figure bidding war.

Sony Pictures close to acquiring rights to Skeletons, a creature horror film produced by J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot; stars Brie Larson; screenplay by Brian Duffield based on Philip Fracassi short story; described as modern creature horror from a boy’s perspective; FilmNation, WME, CAA handling sales; JT Mollner attached to Texas Chainsaw Massacre series.

Mike Flanagan to write, direct, and executive produce new adaptation of Stephen King’s The Mist; produced by Spyglass Media Group and Flanagan’s Red Room Productions; Warner Bros. to distribute; fifth King adaptation for Flanagan following Gerald’s Game, Doctor Sleep, The Life of Chuck, and upcoming Carrie series on Amazon MGM.

Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 directed by Emma Tammi, theatrical release scheduled for December; tickets now on sale.

Neon acquired AFM sales rights for 'They Follow,' sequel to horror hit 'It Follows,' starring Maika Monroe; production details undisclosed.

James Van Der Beek’s final film role as murderous Pastor Jacob in R-rated thriller The Gates, directed/written by John Burr, releases March 13 via Lionsgate Premiere; co-stars Mason Gooding, Algee Smith, Keith Powers; Van Der Beek also recurs in Amazon Prime Video’s Legally Blonde prequel Elle, premiering July 1.

'56 Days' streaming on Prime Video; eight episodes all directed by women including Alethea Jones, Shana Stein, Lauren Wolstein; stars Dove Cameron and Avan Jogia; female directors credited with creating safer, more precise environment especially for intimacy scenes.

Peter Peter (Peter Jones), Québécois synth-pop musician, scored Canadian sports romantic drama Heated Rivalry; series creator Jacob Tierney wrote scripts inspired by Peter’s 2024 album; production timeline caused some delays.

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters S2 trailer reveals early 2026 Apple TV+ release; features Kong and new sea monster.

Toho and director Takashi Yamazaki progressing on Godzilla Minus Zero with late 2026 release planned.

Scream 7 releases February 27 in theaters including IMAX and premium formats; Kevin Williamson directs and co-writes with Guy Busick; franchise veterans Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette return; new cast includes Isabel May, Anna Camp, Joel McHale; web game Hide & Scream launched to promote film.

Psychological thriller Past Life releases digital March 24 via Miracle Media and Trinity Content Partners, UK April 6; stars Aneurin Barnard, Jeremy Piven; directed by Simeon Halligan from script co-written with Ray Bogdanovich and Dean Lines; producers include Rachel Richardson-Jones; explores hypnosis and past-life memories.

Cult filmmaker John Waters joins American Horror Story season 13 cast; role undisclosed; announced during live show; known for typecasted roles; adds prestige to FX horror anthology.

Ryan Coogler directing The X-Files reboot for 20th Television; casting underway; series to retain monsters-of-the-week and overarching conspiracy format; Black Panther 3 planned after; no confirmed involvement of original leads Duchovny or Anderson.

The Mortuary Assistant film adaptation of horror game; stars Willa Holland; directed by Jeremiah Kipp; faithful to game but criticized for lack of cinematic terror; game known for immersive gameplay and procedural scares; distributed by Epic Pictures.

Netflix announces animated supernatural steampunk series for October 6, 2026 release; stars Brian Tyree Henry; set in lawless Steampunk West with outlaws and machines.

Star Trek: Legacy TV series canceled; IDW Comics to launch 'Star Trek' comic series in Sept 2026 focusing on Captain Seven of Nine aboard Enterprise-G; written by Christopher Cantwell.

Four Canadian public broadcasters greenlit animated series Globe Bros; regional funding and multi-platform distribution planned.

Timothy Olyphant fought Netflix cancellation of 'Santa Clarita Diet' zombie comedy series starring Drew Barrymore; show ran 3 seasons; producers wrote cliffhanger post-cancellation.

2026 'Wuthering Heights' film topped global box office with $82M opening weekend; 84% audience RT score; controversy over casting and director Emerald Fennell's adaptation approach.

Peter Krause stars in NBC drama pilot Protection about a law enforcement family targeted by an assassin; character is former Secret Service agent; pilot from writer/executive producer Josh Safran; Universal Television producing; Krause repped by CAA and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.

Steampunk horror stealth action-adventure game They Will Come demo launches February 19 on Steam; combines action, exploration, puzzle, stealth; players control young protagonist in atmospheric setting.

Warner Bros. and Legendary preparing early trailer for Dune: Part Three; Timothée Chalamet confirms imminent release; third film likely final chapter in Denis Villeneuve's sci-fi saga.

Kristen Bell joins Sonic the Hedgehog 4 as Amy Rose; Jeff Fowler returns as director; Paramount schedules release for March 19, 2027; franchise grossed over $1B worldwide; voice cast includes Ben Schwartz, Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves.

Mel Gibson shooting sequel to THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST titled THE RESURRECTION OF THE CHRIST; two-part release planned for March 26 and May 6, 2027; Jaakko Ohtonen replaces Jim Caviezel as Jesus; script by Gibson and Randall Wallace; filming includes Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò visit.

Hulu original series 'Tell Me Lies' ends definitively after season 3; Meaghan Oppenheimer showrunner; story of toxic relationships at fictional Baird College; finale features major betrayals and unresolved threads.

Austin Butler cast as Lance Armstrong in biopic directed by Edward Berger, produced by Scott Stuber; no genre or platform specified.

Amanda Seyfried credited as executive producer on The Housemaid via agent negotiation; no active producing role; film adaptation of Freida McFadden novel; nearing $360M worldwide; Paul Feig directing.

Constance Wu and Anna Camp guest star in CBS mystery series Elsbeth Season 3; Wu plays a wealth therapist suspected of insider trading info gathering; Camp plays a 'trad wife' whose public persona is threatened; show is a spinoff of The Good Wife/The Good Fight; known for notable guest stars.

Lance Hammer returns after 18 years with Queen at Sea, premiering at Berlin Film Festival; drama about dementia with veteran cast including Juliette Binoche and Tom Courtenay; explores complex family dynamics and caregiving.

Amy Adams stars in At the Sea, directed by Kornél Mundruczó, premiered at Berlin Film Festival; drama about a dance company head returning from rehab; critiques note underdeveloped narrative and missed opportunities for deeper exploration.

James Cameron considered an R-rated sci-fi horror approach for Jurassic Park adaptation, blending Aliens-style intensity with dinosaurs.

Sony hires Pete Chiarelli (The Proposal, Crazy Rich Asians) to write new Charlie's Angels revival script; no genre or production details disclosed.

Pig & Horse founder launches Naru Force Studios; BBC greenlights documentary fronted by Harry Clark.

A&E orders 'Predator Hunters' series from Mindhouse and Soho Studios; no genre or release window specified.

Emerald Fennell's 2026 loose erotic adaptation of 'Wuthering Heights' starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi; explicit sexual content; narrative diverges from Emily Brontë's novel.

Halle Berry and Holly Jeter’s HalleHolly signed first-look unscripted deal with Stephen Curry and Erick Peyton’s Unanimous Media; Sharla Sumpter-Bridgett to collaborate closely; marks HalleHolly’s expansion into unscripted from scripted film/TV; Unanimous Media expanding beyond Curry-centric content into diverse storytelling.

Department M negotiating significant stake acquisition in Neon, distributor of Anora and Parasite; deal discussed at European Film Market Berlin; Qatar investors involved; potential leadership and ownership changes at Neon and 30West.

Jake Weiner departs Good Fear Content to launch Harvest Hill Entertainment, a new production and management company focused on talent representation and content creation.

Netflix opens 8,500 sqm Mexico City HQ with 278 sqm post-production space; local workforce nearly 400, expected +15% growth in 2024; $1bn investment over 4 years in Mexican productions including Mexico 86 (Diego Luna), Santita, La captura.

Writers Guild Staff Union strike at WGA West HQ over unfair labor practices; 115 of 160 guild employees striking; first contract negotiations stalled since Sept; picketing ongoing; WGA management closed building.

Film and TV Charity UK reports 74% of UK film/TV workers considered leaving industry in past year due to financial stress; freelancers disproportionately affected; calls for coordinated policy and pension solutions.

Nancy Cartwright prefers selecting human successor over AI for Bart Simpson voice; highlights emotional depth AI lacks; relevant amid Disney's OpenAI investment and potential AI use in animation.

Netflix relocating seven productions from UK to New Jersey to expand US operations; investing $1bn in Fort Monmouth production facility; leveraging New Jersey tax incentives offering 35-40% credits; co-CEO Ted Sarandos highlighted US content spend dominance amid regulatory scrutiny.

Neon acquired North American rights to Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s All Of A Sudden, in post-production; Paris/Kyoto shoot; stars Virginie Efira, Tao Okamoto; international sales by Cinefrance Studios; Bitters End handles Asia; Diaphana France distribution.

Oscar-nominated screenwriters including Guillermo del Toro and Ronald Bronstein share insights on character-driven storytelling at Santa Barbara Film Festival panel.

EFM Berlin reports 5% participant increase to 12,500+; 606 films screened; new events include Animation Days and Games IP Pitching; strong interest in VR and AI panels.

Erika Jakab of European Commission reviews Creative Europe MEDIA programme’s decade-long impact at Berlinale EFM; highlights gains in circulation and co-productions, calls for youth engagement and simplification.

Wild Bunch France entered six-month receivership after defaulting on payments; new CEO David Desplas aims to revamp strategy with co-productions, co-distribution, and private financing; company active to avoid liquidation despite recent box office underperformance.

Belgium’s oldest distributor Belga Films files bankruptcy; Dutch subsidiary Independent Films and Belga Studios production continue; CEO Patrick Vandenbosch consolidates partnership with Umedia; White Cinema venue closing.

Industry-wide TV budget cuts in 2026 due to Peak TV bubble burst, pandemic cost spikes, 2023 strikes, and tariffs; showrunners report slashed budgets despite platform value; focus shifting to cost efficiency for renewals; interviews with Fox TV president and Universal book guru on IP wars and market dynamics.

Fremantle appoints senior production and development executives for U.S. operations.

Showrunner Ira Parker and director Owen Harris detail sound design choices including breathing and vomit effects for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode.

Propagate Content secures $50M investment from Ares Management to support subscription and ad-funded journalism.

Podcast discussion on Casey Wasserman’s agency sale, reasons behind it, Hollywood power dynamics, and potential buyers; includes Paramount’s possible Warner Bros acquisition bid.

Casey Wasserman announces sale of Wasserman agency amid fallout from controversial emails with Ghislaine Maxwell; client departures include Chappell Roan, Abby Wambach, Laufey; private equity and rivals circling; agency’s future uncertain as Wasserman focuses on LA Olympics.

Paramount Skydance and Netflix compete over Warner Bros Discovery assets; Paramount offers $31/share, Netflix has board-recommended deal; regulatory scrutiny ongoing; Netflix shifting some UK productions to US.

Disney+ to release 'Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special' on March 24 featuring Miley Cyrus interview by Alex Cooper; produced by HopeTown Entertainment and Unwell Productions; executive producers include Cyrus, Cooper, Ashley Edens, Tish Cyrus-Purcell, Matt Kaplan; special filmed before live audience.

FutureNARRATIVE Fund launched in Berlin to support German-Israeli film, TV, theatre co-productions; board includes Lili Nagler, Sharon On, Mark Pinhasov; funding from private investors, sponsorships, public sources.

Jamie Lee Curtis hints The Bear season 5 may conclude the series; creator Christopher Storer and lead Jeremy Allen White previously indicated season 4 was to be final but extended; no official confirmation on series end.

B.C.-produced thriller A Safe Distance to world premiere at SXSW; genre film; production completed; seeking wider distribution.

Global Constellation boarded Jérémy Comte’s short film Eleo & Nova for international sales; Canadian co-production with festival potential.

Nirvanna the Band opened with estimated US$1.4M domestic box office; Canadian indie comedy with genre crossover appeal; theatrical release.

Mina Shum directing new feature shooting in British Columbia and Hong Kong; production stage active.

Ellis Jacob, Cineplex president and CEO retiring in 2024, to receive CinemaCon Legend of Cinema Award for career in exhibition; Cineplex is North America's fourth largest circuit.

Mayumi Yoshida’s film Akashi acquired for Canadian and Japanese markets; international co-distribution deal in place.

Filmoption secured Canadian distribution rights for dark comedy Dying to Retire; film completed and seeking distribution.

Netflix’s Bridgerton season 4 leads Canadian demand charts; Crave’s Heated Rivalry holds digital originals top 5; data from Parrot Analytics.

Mélanie Ratté hired as head of sales at Sphere Abacus from Zone3; no deal terms disclosed.

Steven Soderbergh expressed frustration over Disney canceling The Hunt for Ben Solo after 2.5 years of development with Adam Driver and writer Rebecca Blunt; Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy praised script but Disney CEO Bob Iger and Alan Bergman rejected it; official reason was character death; no budget discussion occurred.

Well Go USA acquired US rights to R-rated creature feature The Yeti; stars Brittany Allen, Eric Nelsen, Corbin Bernsen; written and directed by William Pisciotta and Gene Gallerano; practical effects-driven horror set in Alaska; release imminent.

Predator: Badlands streamed nearly 9M global views first 5 days on Hulu and Disney+; Hulu's best film premiere since 2022's Prey; theatrical release November; $184.5M worldwide gross; Dan Trachtenberg directing; script by Patrick Aison and Brian Duffield; stars Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi and Elle Fanning.

Actor Tom Noonan (Manhunter, Monster Squad) died at 74; known for horror roles including Frankenstein and Mr. Ulman; also acclaimed writer/director with Sundance-winning film What Happened Was…; tribute from Monster Squad director Fred Dekker.

Bleecker Street releasing teen body-horror comedy Slanted theatrically March 13; directed by Amy Wang; stars Shirley Chen, Mckenna Grace, Vivian Wu, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan; premiered at SXSW; explores race and identity through sci-fi satire.

Third 28 Years Later film in limbo; Sony hesitant after poor box office for second film ($25M domestic on $63M budget); Netflix interested but Danny Boyle insists on theatrical release; Cillian Murphy expected to star; sequel announced last December; second film directed by Nia DaCosta.

Daniel John Kearney directs and co-writes The Itinerant, a surreal slasher co-produced by Mezek Films, Showstopper Cinema, Black Ave Films, and Stag Mountain Films; shooting starts spring in Connecticut; cast includes Hannah Fierman and Chanda Rawlings.

Diablo Cody producing Meredith Alloway's feature directorial debut adapting Lily Houghton's play; stars Lili Reinhart, Victoria Pedretti, Emma Chamberlain; U.S. and Canadian distribution by Independent Film Company and Shudder; IFC theatrical release set for March 27, 2026; Range and Madhouse Films executive producing.

Jennifer Tilly confirms new Chucky and Tiffany story in development following cancellation of Chucky TV series after three seasons; Don Mancini involved as writer and executive producer; continuation follows Child’s Play franchise excluding remake.

2026 UK/Ireland productions shooting include horror-tinged Seance On A Wet Afternoon (dir. Tomas Alfredson), Ti West’s Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol, and Highlander reboot (dir. Chad Stahelski) with Henry Cavill; multiple genre and high-end TV projects ongoing.

Gail Maurice’s Blood Lines selected for Berlin Film Festival market; Canadian Indigenous filmmaker; seeking international sales.

Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator: Badlands sets new franchise box office record, raising bar for Predator series.

Amazon MGM Studios thriller starring Gal Gadot directed by Kevin Macdonald; script by Mark Gibson; Gadot plays a high-powered attorney racing to save her abducted son in London; rated PG-13 for violence, sexual material, language, and drug reference; worldwide rights held by Amazon MGM; production details scarce.

Montreal-based Geneviève Dulude-de Celles discusses challenges of filming sophomore feature Nina Roza in Bulgaria; film explores long-term aftermath of migration trauma; Berlinale Competition entry.

Shudder acquiring Lionsgate classic horror catalog for March 31 streaming launch; includes An American Werewolf in London, The Fog, Rob Zombie’s Halloween 1 & 2, Eli Roth’s Hostel 1 & 2, May, Sorority Row, Wolf Creek; highlights genre gems from Lionsgate’s extensive library.

ITN Distribution releases digital slasher Betty’s Revenge starring Hannah Fierman (V/H/S); directed by Brett Bentman; plot involves haunted abandoned cabaret; part of Twisted Child Universe.

Isabelle Huppert stars in Ulrike Ottinger’s vampire dark comedy about Erzsébet Báthory; long runtime with many slapstick characters dilutes impact.

Ignite Films releasing 4K UHD edition of 1990 horror sequel Bride of Re-Animator on June 11; unrated cut; Brian Yuzna directs; screenplay by Zeph E. Daniel and Rick Fry; follows 40th anniversary restoration success of original.

Devon Sawa joins Disney's supernatural series Coven Academy; set in New Orleans magic school; genre blend of teen witchcraft and dark fantasy; Sawa known for Final Destination and Chucky.

Natasha Kermani discusses reimagining classic Japanese folk-horror Onibaba for her film The Dreadful, set in the Dark Ages; explores NOH theater tradition and demon hag folklore.

UK horror film releasing digitally March 16 UK, March 17 US; features evil clown weaponizing fears; exclusive trailer released.

Sci-fi thriller Recollection releasing digitally March 19 via Persimmon; set in 2033 about memory deletion technology; Black Mirror-style; follows corporate employee Kate Parker confronting societal control.

Occult horror deckbuilding game The Killing Stone launched Early Access on Steam; full 1.0 release planned later this year; team chose Early Access to refine gameplay.

Jitters, a videogame horror film about AI-driven game exploiting players' fears with lethal results, releases digitally in US March 17; plot follows haunted detective investigating suspicious death; revives early 2000s videogame horror subgenre.

Paramount’s R-rated The Last Ronin TMNT adaptation delayed due to new regime's reluctance for adult content; co-creator Kevin Eastman optimistic about future; Judith Hoag in talks to reprise April O’Neil; project status uncertain but not cancelled.

Indie horror film Good Boy achieves strong box office debut appealing to genre fans over weekend.

Sydney Sweeney stars in a sleeper thriller that surpassed ‘Sinners’ at global box office two months post-release; no production or distribution details disclosed.

Grace Passô’s first feature about a grieving black Brazilian family premieres in Berlinale Perspectives; poetic visuals contrast with abstruse screenplay and unclear narrative.

Lovecraftian underwater roguelite game Dive or Die: Children of Rain launching Q2 2026 on Steam; demo available now; collaboration between Dear Villagers and Drop Rate Studio.

Scream Factory’s physical media releases now distributed by GRUV, expanding collector access to 4K and Blu-Ray horror titles.

Mikaela Hoover, cast in Netflix's live-action 'One Piece,' has appeared in three DC projects including 'Superman' (2025) and 'Lucifer,' plus two Marvel films ('Guardians of the Galaxy' series); maintains ongoing collaboration with James Gunn.

Retrospective on Clive Barker’s Nightbreed highlighting multiple cuts and director’s editions; Barker’s struggles with studio interference on Nightbreed and Lord of Illusions; film’s legacy as a cult horror classic 35 years post-release.

Pepa Lubojacki’s Berlinale Forum documentary If Pigeons Turned to Gold examines family addiction cycle with personal involvement and AI-enhanced archival footage; Prague-based production.

Actor Babou Ceesay discusses his morally complex role in Alien: Earth ahead of Independent Spirit Awards.

Avatar: Fire and Ash VFX team led by Weta FX’s Eric Saindon used live-action plates, practical effects, and in-house compositing tools for over 3,000 VFX shots; complex water simulations and CG compositing integrated with live-action performances filmed in New Zealand.

ScreenShare data shows 2026 Winter Olympics leading entertainment mentions at 5.44% during Feb 7-13; Netflix’s Stranger Things and HBO Max’s The Pitt also in top 10; films Wicked: For Good, Avatar: Fire and Ash, and Scream 7 gaining momentum ahead of releases.

Screen Daily lists UK-Ireland 2026 cinema release dates including horror Scream 7 (Paramount) on Feb 27 and other genre titles; calendar open for distributor updates.