Horror Industry News — Saturday, February 21, 2026

Adam Wingard exited Paramount’s Face/Off sequel last summer; script co-written with Simon Barrett; project open for new directors; Wingard directing A24’s Onslaught; not attached to Godzilla x Kong: Supernova.

Laurence Fishburne joins Blumhouse-Atomic Monster’s The Exorcist reboot starring Scarlett Johansson; Mike Flanagan directing and writing; production in NYC; theatrical release March 2027 by Universal.

Stage 32 and Evoke Entertainment launch rom-com screenwriting contest; submissions open Feb; winner fast-tracked to development and packaging; Evoke produced rom-coms for Netflix, Tubi, Hallmark.

Luca Guadagnino directing new American Psycho adaptation for Lionsgate; Scott Z. Burns wrote new draft; major stars declined Patrick Bateman role; Frenesy Films producing; no resemblance to 2000 film.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem 2 delayed to Aug 13, 2027; first film grossed $118.7M domestic on $43M five-day start; Jeff Rowe returns to direct; Seth Rogen producing; faces competition from Warner Bros and Universal-Blumhouse.

UK/Ireland weekend releases include Studiocanal’s sci-fi thriller Cold Storage starring Liam Neeson and Joe Keery; Universal’s Charli XCX mockumentary The Moment; Lionsgate’s prison drama Wasteman; Gore Verbinski’s Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die also opens.

Department M, founded by Mike Larocca and Michael Schaefer, seeks major stake in Neon, which has 18 Oscar nominations this season; Neon open to investment; Department M produced 2025 horror remake 'The Hand That Rocks The Cradle' starring Maika Monroe.

Streaming success for Blumhouse reboot despite franchise backlash; no budget or platform specifics.

Blumhouse secured writers with credits on The Conjuring and Crawl for Dead by Daylight adaptation; project in early development.

A24’s 'Everything Everywhere All at Once' continues to break box office records ahead of Oscars; impacts studio’s market position.

Josh Safdie’s 'Marty Supreme' sets new box office record for A24; details on gross figures and release window not provided.

March 2026 Shudder slate includes new horror and thriller titles; lineup details pending.

Abbey Morris appointed SVP Development & Programming at Blumhouse Television; will oversee scripted slate including Prime Video’s Scarpetta; former EP on Umbrella Academy S4.

Obsession, written and directed by Curry Barker, releases May 15 via Focus Features and Blumhouse; premiered at TIFF 2023, won People’s Choice at Sitges; stars Michael Johnston and Andy Richter.

Blumhouse Games collaborates with Vermila Studios on a single-player FPS blending supernatural horror and Spanish folklore; gameplay integrates narrative via 'Blood Memories' without cutscenes.

Oversees feature films budgeted $2-8M, liaises between merged entities since January 2024, reports to Blumhouse and Atomic Monster presidents, works with Divide/Conquer overall deal, remains New York-based.

Paramount schedules Paranormal Activity 8 for May 21, 2027; co-financed with Blumhouse-Atomic Monster; Ian Tuason directing; producers include James Wan, Jason Blum, Oren Peli; franchise grossed $900M+ globally.

No additional production or release information disclosed.

Explores resurgence of 1980s synthwave and neon visuals influencing contemporary filmmaking.

Netflix re-engages Alexandre Aja to direct sequel to successful horror film; sequel greenlit with production timeline pending; original film was a major Netflix hit.

Shudder acquiring classic horror titles from Lionsgate for March streaming lineup.

Original film addressing gender discrimination in sports, featuring Naomi Grace in the lead role.

Platinum Dunes inviting horror fans to upcoming gym-themed horror; 'Shredded' title; marketing ramp-up stage.

Listing of new titles arriving on Tubi in February 2026; no specific horror or genre project details provided.

General biographical entry on Jordan Peele; no new production or deal information.

Premiere Entertainment Group closed key territory sales at EFM for action thrillers 'The Hook' starring Michael Jai White and Malin Akerman, and 'Dustlands' starring Ruby Rose and Terrence Howard; multiple international distributors secured including Amazon Prime for Benelux.

Time’s Up UK and Black Beauty Roster launch All Textures Certification to combat on-set hair and makeup discrimination; council includes Lashana Lynch, Naomie Harris, Barbara Broccoli; UK rollout with global plans.

Idris Elba advocates for African filmmakers' control over capital and distribution to improve representation; executive producer on Berlinale Forum documentary 'Crocodile' about Nigerian YouTubers making sci-fi films; highlights slow progress in Black director festival representation.

Peacock’s horror-comedy series achieved nearly 1 billion viewing minutes since February 8 premiere; highest Day 1 minutes for any Peacock original in 2026; 8 episodes; stars Keke Palmer and Jack Whitehall; suburban setting with deadly secrets.

Broadway adaptation of 1987 vampire horror classic announced with official posters; cast includes Ali; stage musical format.

Emin Alper’s Salvation, a slow-burn Turkish drama blending mysticism and political allegory about inter-clan conflict and genocide, screened in Berlinale Competition; explores nationalist rhetoric and survivalist panic.

BFI-backed Gatecrashers lab launches for working-class UK genre writers; inaugural cohort includes Brit List and BFI London Film Festival talent; program offers residencies and pitch showcase; aims to increase class diversity in genre writing.

Fernanda Tovar’s debut Sad Girlz won Berlin Generation Crystal Bear for youth-focused drama addressing sexual violence and friendship; Alpha Violet handling world sales.

David Lynch and Mark Frost reflect on narrative challenges post-murder reveal in Twin Peaks; show’s momentum affected by network demands; insights into production pressures during season two.

New zombie film with dark thematic elements; no production or distribution details disclosed.

Mahamat-Saleh Haroun’s new film Soumsoum premiered at Berlin; blends magical realism with social themes; director known for Cannes and Venice award-winning works; coming-of-age narrative.

Adrian Goiginger’s Four Minus Three, about a clown’s tragic loss, won Europa Cinemas Label at Berlinale Panorama; Beta Cinema handling international sales; film to receive promotional support across 3,200 European screens.

Curated list of overlooked miniseries including mystery, comedy, and horror genres; no specific deals or studios mentioned.

Episode seven of Starfleet Academy features first canonically queer Klingon; character is a healer; supported by George Takei; available on Paramount+.

Dark Horse Comics' 'Hellboy' universe offers a richly developed supernatural shared universe rivaling Marvel and DC; includes multiple spin-offs and diverse characters across decades.