Horror Industry News — Friday, February 20, 2026

Cronin returns with twisted reinterpretation of classic horror IP; New Line backing; marketing campaign underway; film blends traditional horror with modern sensibilities.

Acquired for $25 million; Mollner directing confirmed.

Title revealed; release schedule pending.

Boulderlight Pictures producing Mike Flanagan's adaptation of 'Carrie' as a series targeting October release; streaming platform undisclosed.

Zach Cregger directing new Resident Evil film; promises high-octane nonstop action; fresh story unrelated to previous entries; $80M budget.

Warner Bros. confirmed as distributor; Flanagan and King collaborating again; project in early stages; expected theatrical release.

Wingard exits sequel directing; project status uncertain; potential impact on studio plans.

Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein to direct Sony’s animated Venom film; Amy Pascal, Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach producing; Tom Hardy expected to return; no writer attached yet; Lipovsky and Stein recently directed Final Destination: Bloodlines ($317M global); also co-writing new Gremlins movie.

Hallmark Media renews Mistletoe Murders for Season 3; production starts later this year; premieres during Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas; stars Sarah Drew and Peter Mooney; Lionsgate Canada and Headspinner Productions producing; Lionsgate Television handles international distribution.

Ignite Films and Eagle Rock Pictures releasing 4K UHD restoration of Bride of Re-Animator June 11, 2026; four editions including limited box set with collectible; restoration announced at Cannes Marché du Film; prior Saturn Award winner for Re-Animator 40th Anniversary.

Blumhouse teams with 'The Conjuring' writer to develop 'Dead by Daylight' horror film adaptation; project in early development with Blumhouse producing.

A24 film sets new studio box office record; title unspecified; indicates strong genre or crossover appeal.

Olivia Wilde directs and stars in Sundance-acquired A24 comedy 'The Invite'; limited theatrical release June 26; no horror elements.

Early development stage; Glen Powell involved; no release date or platform announced.

Lionsgate Play PH streaming live BAFTA awards; no genre-specific content.

Mike Flanagan discusses creative and production challenges of 'Midnight Mass' in current industry climate; Boulderlight Pictures.

Boulderlight Pictures producing; Flanagan directing and co-writing; Scarlett Johansson starring; scheduled for 2027 theatrical release; Blumhouse not mentioned but Flanagan's frequent collaborator.

Adds to Flanagan’s Stephen King adaptation streak following successes; project expected to attract genre fans; no budget or release date disclosed.

New horror film available on Tubi; streaming release; potential for audience expansion on AVOD platform.

Ari Aster’s latest film 'Eddington' reviewed negatively; ambitious folk horror; no distributor or release date announced.

Blumhouse producing TV adaptation of 'Upgrade' with Leigh Whannell returning as director; series greenlit; production imminent.

Sequel in development for streaming platform Paramount+ starring Naomi Scott.

Worldwide distribution rights obtained; further details undisclosed.

Critical reassessment of 'The Witch' after 10 years highlighting some narrative and pacing flaws.

4K/Blu-ray release of folk horror film 'Keeper' by Neon; no bonus content included; physical media push for genre fans.

Title change for giant snake horror project; suggests Amazonian folklore theme; Lionsgate production.

Same Page Entertainment producing original series 'South West High' launching on Tubi; no genre specified.

King praised scripts for first season; series development status remains unclear.

Romantic comedy slasher hybrid; Chris Landon producing; Josh Ruben directing; project in development; indie horror-comedy niche.

Netflix original; production and release scheduled for 2024.

Lionsgate cancels development of ‘Plane 2’; project shelved, no genre or horror connection confirmed.

Four-decade executive tenure ending; potential impact on programming strategy.

Classic horror franchise getting 4K remaster release; Lionsgate handling distribution.

Harriet Slater cast; production active; release date unknown.

Scheduled for 2026 debut; original intellectual property; independent production; exclusive streaming on Shudder.

Shudder original blending genres; critical review highlights unique tone and narrative style; potential cult appeal.

2025 horror title newly available on Shudder; described as overlooked gem; potential for increased viewership and critical reassessment.

Tubi adapting a romance titled 'Kissing Is The Easy Part'; no horror or genre elements indicated.

March 2026 streaming slate includes Shudder horror titles; multi-platform release highlights; curated genre picks.

Studio appoints AI chief to integrate technology in film production and distribution.

Contextual piece linking Netflix Stephen King horror to Flanagan's upcoming remake; no new deal or production info; likely referencing Carrie or The Mist projects.

Shudder announced its March 2026 programming schedule; includes horror and thriller titles; no specific film or series details provided.

Blue Fox acquired two Tubi Originals titles, 'Summer’s Last Resort' and 'Buzzkill', at European Film Market; distribution deal for free streaming originals.

Creature feature titled 'Flood' reportedly next project for Zach Cregger; currently stalled; plot and character details emerging.

Daniel Kaluuya attached to star in A24 thriller 'Hotel'; project in development; no budget or release date disclosed.

Produced by Monkeypaw; screened at Berlin festival.

Discussion of Flanagan directing another Stephen King adaptation despite existing acclaimed versions; no new production or deal info.

Two 2000s animated movies and their sequels recently added to Tubi with limited viewing window; no horror relevance.

Marketing collaboration involving A24 film and table tennis brand; no production or genre details.

Coverage of Berlinale film 'Brat' with neon green marketing; no horror or genre details provided.

Scream 7 releases Feb 27; Neve Campbell returns as Sidney Prescott, now a mother; storyline explores trauma and healing related to her mother’s murder; returning cast includes Scott Foley, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard; new cast members announced.

Following cancellation of a 10-episode series adaptation, a second remake of Stephen King’s sci-fi horror is underway; new film version in early stages; no attached talent or release details.

Screambox exclusive retro 1980s-style slasher Blood Barn tops platform’s streaming chart; $4.99 digital rental on Prime Video; practical effects-driven; directed by Gabriel Bernini.

Scott Snyder reinvents Batman in horror-infused Absolute Batman series exploring Gotham as a layered, nightmarish underworld; heavy horror elements and reworked origins.

BayView Entertainment releasing 12-episode paranormal investigation series on VOD in March 2026; features global independent teams collaborating on largest paranormal unit assembled.

Peacock’s reboot of Joe Dante’s cult suburban horror comedy starring Keke Palmer has generated nearly 1 billion viewing minutes since Feb 8 premiere.

LOVE ETERNAL horror platformer released on PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC; developed by brlka, published by Ysbryd Games known for WORLD OF HORROR.

NBC pilot What The Dead Know, a crime procedural based on medical examiner Barbara Butcher’s memoir, stars Taylor Schilling as death investigator Ava Ledger; Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television producing; Fred Berner directing; Schilling repped by Gersh, Untitled, Goodman Genow.

MPA issues cease-and-desist to ByteDance over Seedance 2.0 AI tool’s systemic copyright infringement involving major Hollywood IP including Netflix, Warner Bros., Disney, Paramount, and Sony; first MPA legal action against generative AI company.

Emma Mackey exits Nancy Meyers’ untitled Warner Bros. comedy due to scheduling conflict; film stars Penélope Cruz, Kieran Culkin, Jude Law, Owen Wilson; slated for Dec 25, 2027 theatrical release; project previously shelved at Netflix over budget concerns.

Indie revenge film 'Redux Redux' released via Saban Films; 10-year production by siblings Kevin and Matthew McManus; stars Michaela McManus performing own stunts; multiverse-themed violent drama with limited budget.

Focus Features to release Obsession May 15, 2026; Inde Navarrette signed for thriller Invertigo directed by Matthias Hoene; filming starts this month across Thailand, US, UK; producers include Capstone and Tea Shop.

Analysis of 'The Witch' impact on modern horror over a decade; credited with revitalizing folk horror subgenre.

The Batman Part II expected to begin filming late May; Matt Reeves finalizing script amid scheduling challenges; James Gunn’s Man of Tomorrow to start filming soon for July 2027 release.

Marketing Macabre expanding 2026 services to offer personal branding and PR management tailored for horror actors, writers, directors, and podcasters; founder Michael Joy targeting independent genre professionals.

Lead actress comments on unexpected scariness of A24 horror film; no release or production specifics.

Ryan Coogler’s blues-infused vampire film Sinners has 16 Oscar nominations and sold-out screenings; supernatural elements integral to blues mythology; cast includes Michael B. Jordan, Wunmi Mosaku, Delroy Lindo; genre approach described as instinctive.

Harry Melling leads BDSM-themed romance 'Pillion' by Harry Lighton; explores character's sexual awakening; film integrates explicit scenes as narrative devices; Melling discusses approach to challenging material.

Duplicate or near-duplicate of article 4 about Ryan Coogler’s Sinners; no new production or deal details.

Analysis of Satanic horror’s thematic resonance in February’s cold, bleak atmosphere; seasonal genre trend commentary.

Overview of horror couples whose love is intertwined with violence; references Speak No Evil, Child’s Play, and Scream; no new production or deal info.