** 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)
