Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

Continuing on with our September Streamerthon (is that a thing?), this week I wanted to highlight Screambox! I know there seems to be a battle between Shudder and Screambox, but I say support BOTH! The programming on both is different! Screambox has a ton of collections to choose from, including: Troma, Midnight Pulp, and more! Even the 100 Horror Movies in 92 Days Challenge has a collection that I curated! Not only that, but Screambox has its own selection of originals and exclusives including Deathwoods, Yellow Eyes, Rage Bait, Return to Silent Hill, and the list keeps going! Need some recs? Be sure to head to this week's Listicle section because we have you covered!

If you want to give Screambox a shot, we’ve got a great deal for you! For just $1.99/month for 3 months, you can have them all through scary season! Head here to sign up!

Happy Horror Watching!

IN THE NEWS

Brett Petersel | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd

🩸 Horror icon Barbara Crampton shared an Instagram post of her with Michael C. Hall, who stars as "Dexter" in the long-running, popular series. While her role has not been confirmed, we hope she doesn't end up on his table! The second season of DEXTER: RESURRECTION premieres on October 30th on Paramount+ and Showtime.

😱 With the 30th (!) anniversary of SCREAM coming up, Matthew Lillard has partnered with Regal Cinemas to screen the film at select Regal theaters. In addition, he'll also promote Ghost Face Vodka and do a Q&A with the audience. Check out the tour dates here.

🗺️ It comes as no surprise that, after the incredible success of BACKROOMS, Kane Parsons would return to the director's chair to direct its sequel. On September 6th, Dread Central exclusively reported that not only is Parsons returning for the sequel, but that he is contracted for more films in the series.

📅 We're only a third of the way through September, but we can't wait for October 1st! Why? That's when AMC FearFest begins and, judging from their first trailer, it's going to be a helluva season of screams! From ARMY OF DARKNESS to LEPRECHAUN, and FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VIII: JASON TAKES MANHATTAN to FINAL DESTINATION 2, get the popcorn ready!

OUR FAVORITE SCREAMBOX PICKS

As Scary Season creeps in, the Horrorverse crew shares their favorite Screambox titles that are currently streaming on the service at the time of this publication. Check out our selections here.

For a limited time, get 3 months for $1.99/month. Click here to sign up!

RECOMMENDED READING

Candi Norwood | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | StoryGraph | Website

As you may know, I recently moved to Atlanta and now have a 30-45 minute commute for my day job which means I’m listening to more audiobooks than ever, so this week I’m recommending a few favorites.

Where the Soul Goes by Kat Silva - Eliot, a middle-aged chef who finds out he has a fatal disease, takes a road trip to see 4 chefs in 4 different cities who had impacted his life in some way. It’s sad, funny, depressing, and hopeful at turns, and I recommend it for anyone who wants to be immersed in a world — in this case, the culinary arts world of an alternate 1980’s U.S. Full review: https://candikathorror.com/reads/where-the-soul-goes

Dollface by Lindy Ryan - Horror author Jill follows her husband’s job to New Jersey where she finds herself facing the dual horrors of the PTA and a serial killer. Jill is a perfectly snarky relatable protagonist, and Dollface is a dark, funny, engaging thriller. Full review: https://candikathorror.com/reads/dollface

The Villa Once Beloved by Victor Manibo - This one is a compelling gothic horror complete with an atmospheric estate, a mysterious family legacy involving a curse, and an innocent young woman at the center. Sophie is stranded at her boyfriend’s estate where she begins experiencing night terrors. Family secrets, shrouded in a mix of folklore and fact, come to light, and the Sepulveda family will stop at nothing to keep those secrets. Full review: https://candikathorror.com/reads/the-villa-once-beloved 

WHAT TO WATCH & TRAILERVILLE

This Sunday (9/13) at 8pm ET/5pm PT, Chattanooga Film Festival's Patreon, the Double Secret Cinema Society, will be having their monthly watch party! Members at the $10 tier and above get to join in the fun! Come hang out and a watch an underseen gem!

MACABRE DAILY: WEEKLY UPDATES

💀 Kiana Madeira And Jessica Rothe Reflect On Battling A Legendary Snake In "BEWARE BOIÚNA" (INTERVIEW)

💀 “THE DOLLMAKER” (2025) Lacks A Unique Voice While Falling Short In Its Surrealist Intent (REVIEW)

💀 Celebrating 20 Years of Severin With Macabre Daily’s 20 Favorite Releases! (READ)

💀 8 Horror Films That Depict And/Or Explore Chronic Illness (READ)

SCREAMING SOON HORROR CALENDAR (2026-2028)

MEET THE HORRORVERSE TEAM

Brett Petersel | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | #100HorrorMoviesin92Days

Since coming to the market in 2015, AMC Networks-operated OTT streaming service Shudder has been a force in the horror world.

From Originals and Exclusives, as well as to series (The Creep Tapes), documentaries (Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror), live shows (The Last Drive-in with Joe Bob Briggs), their ever-growing library and monthly calendar of films, as well as their theatrical releases like In a Violent Nature and Dangerous Animals, Shudder has become one of the most popular and accessible streaming platforms around the world.

In addition, their social media presence has continued to grow and engage both followers old and new, especially around Scary Season (or, as they put it, Season of Screams), and has featured film and TV talent, convention appearances/presentations, and more.

With their September 2026 lineup announced and October pipeline in the works, Shudder continues to deliver scream after scream.

Scream on!

IN THE NEWS

Brett Petersel | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd & Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

Casper Kelly may not yet be a big household name, but it should (and will) be. If you missed his V/H/S/HALLOWEEN segment "Fun Size", as well as some of his previous shorts and series, you'll get an idea of how his creative mind works. As for his new film, BUDDY, which opened in 1,258 theaters (according to The Numbers) this past weekend and raked in over $5 million at the box office, fell behind Ridley Scott's new film, THE DOG STARS, which premiered in over 3,300 theaters (and whose budget was well over $100 million). BUDDY is Saban Films' most successful opening in its 12-year history.

Finally, we're getting a new film, just not as soon as we expect. It's been nine (NINE!) years since ALIEN: COVENANT, and Ridley Scott has said that he is rewriting the next film to showcase AI's effects in a chaotic-like manner. We'll be seated opening night!

Does Indie Navarrette deserve to be nominated for her performance in OBSESSION? Focus Features believes so (as do many others), and will run a campaign for her to be nominated in the Best Actress category. They will also do the same for the film’s director, Curry Barker, for Best Director, Original Screenplay, and Film Editing. Nominations will be announced in late January 2027.

With the recent passings of Dolly Parton and Tim Curry, we lost another icon this past week. Victor Miller, known for writing the original FRIDAY THE 13TH (1980) screenplay, passed away at the age of 86.

OUR FAVORITE SHUDDER PICKS

Shudder is known for its vast library of classics, slashers, originals, and exclusives. Check out the Horrorverse crew's favorite Shudder titles currently streaming on Shudder here on Letterboxd!

RECOMMENDED READING

Candi Norwood | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | StoryGraph | Website

Between the 100 Horror Movies in 92 Days challenge and what I consider a full kickoff of Scary Season, it’s been busy so here are some short novel reads to add to your horror reading count!

The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw - The mermaid and plague doctor road trip novella you didn’t know you needed, but the language is so lyrical that it’s its own road trip playlist.

Come Closer by Sara Gran - Amanda starts acting erratically - but is it possession or a psychotic break? Either way, it’s traumatic.

Crossroads by Laurel Hightower - An Appalachian horror novella that’s as likely to move you to tears as fear. Chris is haunted by her son who died in a car crash, and she will do anything not to lose him a second time.

What novellas do you recommend to help me keep up with my reading during scary movie season?

WHAT TO WATCH & TRAILERVILLE

Looking to sink your teeth into some gastro horror this month? Sarah’s got you covered with her September Gastro Horror Streaming Guide!

MACABRE DAILY: WEEKLY UPDATES

💀 7 Horror Films that Capture the Rise and Dangers of AI (READ)

💀 Every Haunted House At Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights Ranked: 35th Anniversary Edition (READ)

💀 PAPER CUTS: In “KISS SLAY REPLAY,” Rachel Harrison Redefines What a Horror Novel Can Be (REVIEW)

💀 "PARASOMNIA" (2025) Makes Sleeping Scary As Hell (REVIEW)

SCREAMING SOON HORROR CALENDAR (2026-2028)

MEET THE HORRORVERSE TEAM

Brett Petersel | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd

Today, we're 💯 issues old!

Since launching in mid-2024, you've invited Horrorverse into your inbox to learn all about the latest happenings in horror, including lists, reviews, interviews and more. We know we're a small fish in a big sea, but innovation is what has kept us on our toes. Our presentation has been a main focus for us, and, behind the scenes, we're always coming up with new ideas and sections for how we present ourselves when we send out each issue. Whether it's guest writers, creative themes, or strategic partnerships, which includes our merger with Macabre Daily, we all come together with a shared love for horror, and we hope that our issues have brought a smile to your face every week.

We'd like to thank all of those involved, from contributors to partners/sponsors, who have helped make our first 100 issues special.

Here's to the next 100! 🥂

IN THE NEWS

Brett Petersel | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd & Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

Are you ready to float again🎈? IT: Season 2 is happening, and, this time, will be set in 1935. No word yet on whether Bill Skarsgård will return, but it's most likely a guarantee.

Waxwork Records will be releasing their first-ever picture disc! The disc for THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE (1974) will ship in October. Unfortunately, this pressing has sold out, but Waxwork has been known to do multiple pressings for some titles. According to Fangoria, the picture disc deluxe set will include exclusive liner notes from Bell, a heavyweight gatefold jacket with inner flood printing designed by Steve Reeves, and a twelve page booklet featuring behind the scenes photography from the film.

With Scary Season around the corner, Shudder has announced its Season of Screams lineup, which begins September 1st! There will be new premieres every Friday until the end of the year. Bloody Disgusting has the scoop, which includes new films such as V/H/S/MIXTAPE, THE CYCLE, HALLOWARRIOR, and BIG BABY, as well as special events like Joe Bob’s Halloween House Party and FANGORIA's Chainsaw Awards.

Earlier this week, we learned of the passing of actress Hayden Panettiere, who starred in horror classics SCREAM 4 and SCREAM VI, the latter in which she reprised her fan-favorite character Kirby Reed. She was 36 years old. RIP.

In February, Screaming Mad George, the Japanese special effects artist, known for such films like PREDATOR (1987), NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4: THE DREAM MASTER, and SOCIETY, passed away at the age of 69.

THE HORRORVERSE STAFF’S 100 FAVORITE HORROR MOVIES

In celebration of our 100th issue, we thought it would be fun to share our lists of 100 horror movies we love. Did any of your favorites make our lists? Leave us some comments and let us know!

Brett Petersel | Candi Norwood | Sarah Stubbs

WHAT TO WATCH & TRAILERVILLE

Looking for some movies to watch for the 100 Horror Movies in 92 Days Challenge? Sarah wrote about a couple of her Week 2 highlights! Check them out! [READ]

Did you know that Sarah hosts watch parties almost weekly on the 100 Horror Movies in 92 Days Challenge Discord server? This Saturday (8/22), the server will be watching THE GHOST STATION, which is streaming on Screambox. Head over to the server to get more information and join in the fun!

MACABRE DAILY: WEEKLY UPDATES

💀 “IT ENDS” (2026) Is More Than A Road To Nowhere (REVIEW)

💀 8 Road Trip And Vacation Horror Movies To Soak Up This Summer! (READ)

💀 The Gory Glory Of "BLOOD SHINE" (2025) With Emily Bennett And Justin Brooks (PODCAST/VIDEO)

💀 Producer Tyler Davidson On The Macabre Magic Of "BUDDY" (INTERVIEW)

💀 Fantastic Fest Needs No Identification For Its 21st year Of Genre Goodness! (READ)

SCREAMING SOON HORROR CALENDAR (2026-2028)

MEET THE HORRORVERSE TEAM

Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

October 11, 1974. Arguably, a date that changed horror. If you’re not familiar, this is the day The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was released. So why are we talking about it in August? Well, August 18th is known by horror fans as “Texas Chain Saw Day”! As I mentioned in my article about the Gastro History of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Franchise on Daily Dead, when fans see “August 18, 1973,” emblazoned across their screen, they know that they are about to see an "idyllic summer afternoon became a nightmare." Therefore, we thought it would be fun to celebrate with an issue celebrating this iconic film. We’ll have everything from franchise rankings, book recs, and more! We hope you enjoy celebrating this classic with us as much as we did putting this issue together for you!

IN THE NEWS

Brett Petersel | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd & Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

In a move that no one saw coming, Hot Topic will be acquired by Spencer Spirit Holdings, the company that runs Spencer's and Spirit Halloween. As a result, each subsidiary will continue to operate independently.

☘️ LEPRECHAUN is coming back! With a screenplay currently in development from Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton (THE COLLECTOR), it's safe to say that we're in for a special treat. No word yet as to whether or not Warwick Davis will be returning, but we'll be patiently waiting at the end of the rainbow for this!

🪚 With Texas Chain Saw Day coming up on August 18th. and the original 1974 playing in theaters (in 4K!) for that one night only, two exclusives will be heading our way: The first official still from the hand-animated rotoscoped version of the 1974 film has been released (with a 2027 debut planned). In addition, Dread Central, its parent company Be Afraid Media, and the Creepy podcast have teamed up to produce an original four-minute theatrical-only audio experience that will play before the film exclusively in theaters on August 18th. 

🐊 Who let the crocs out (Who?! Who?!)! Alexandre Aja is ready to get behind the camera once again to film a sequel to his film, CRAWL. This time around, CRAWL 2, which will star both Mason Gooding and Emily Rudd, takes place in New York where alligators will fill the streets following a hurricane.

😱 To celebrate the 30th anniversary of SCREAM, David Arquette will be touring around the U.S. as part of the Behind the Scream Tour, where he'll do a moderated interview and Q&A following a screening of the classic film. Learn more about the event and check out the tour dates here.

🧠 While we can't wait for SMILE 3, Parkin Finn has been busy with his latest film, POSSESSION, a remake (reimagining?) of Andrzej Żuławski's classic 1981 film, that will star both Callum Turner and Margaret Qualley. The film will be released in theaters on June 11, 2027.

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE FRANCHISE RANKED

The Horrorverse and Macabre Daily crew have put together their franchise rankings! Do you agree? Share yours in the comments!

Brett Petersel | Ryan Fitzmartin | Sarah Stubbs

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE (1974)

Do you love The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and want to watch more films just like it? The Horrorverse Team has you covered! Here are our recs!

GORE-MET PAIRINGS

Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

Movie: Leatherface (2017)

Synopsis: A young nurse is kidnapped by a group of violent teens who escape from a mental hospital and take her on the road trip from hell. Pursued by an equally deranged lawman out for revenge, one of the teens is destined for tragedy and horrors that will destroy his mind, moulding him into a monster named Leatherface.

Why I Chose This Film: I selected Leatherface (2017) because not only do I have a fun recipe for it, but I actually really like this movie! It won't work for everyone but I think the way it subverts our expectations for the franchise is interesting. The only thing I don't love about the film it how, like the remake, it removed all elements of cannibalism. Despite that, it's still worth a watch!

Pairing Idea: Since Texas is known for barbeque and meat is generally part of Texas Chain Saw Massacre lore, I thought I'd share the sliders we did over on Geeks Who Eat when Leatherface had it's home release. They are one of my favorite recipes because I love the photos!

WHAT TO WATCH & TRAILERVILLE

Looking for new things to watch? Check out Sarah's Gastro Horror Guide for August and her July Highlights posts for some ideas! She also put together a list of some of her favorites from Week 1 of the 100 Horror Movies in 92 Days Challenge if you're looking for a bit more inspiration!

RECOMMENDED READING

Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

Candi is in the process of moving this week so y'all get my recs this week! I thought instead of individual reviews of books that had vibes similar to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, I'd share some of my favorite books about the film itself. These won't include individual reviews because I love them all for the same reason: they talk about the various aspects of one of my all-time favorite films! Instead, I'm providing the publisher's synopsis of each.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: The Film That Terrified a Rattled Nation by Joseph Lanza- Joseph Lanza transports the reader back to the tumultuous era of the 1970s defined by political upheaval, cultural disillusionment, and the perceived decay of the nuclear family in the wake of Watergate, the onslaught of serial killers in the US, as well as mounting racial and sexual tensions. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: The Film That Terrified a Rattled Nation sets the themes of the film against the backdrop of the political and social American climate to understand why the brutal slasher flick connected with so many viewers.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre by James Rose- No-one who has ever seen the original The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) is ever likely to forget the experience. An intense fever dream (or nightmare), it is remarkable for its sense of sustained threat and depiction of an insane but nonetheless (dys)functional family on the furthest reaches of society who have regressed to cannibalism in the face of economic hardship. As well as providing a summary of the making of the film, James Rose discusses the extraordinary censorship history of the film in the UK (essentially banned for two decades) and provides a detailed textual analysis of the film with particular reference to the concept of 'the Uncanny'. He also situates the film in the context of horror film criticism (the 'Final Girl' character) and discusses its influence and subsequent sequels and remakes.

The Legacy of Leatherface: Essays on the Texas Chainsaw Massacre Series edited by Shane H. Weathers- This collection is the first to examine the The Texas Chainsaw Massacre film series in its entirety, with separate essays devoted to each of the films. Contributors analyze narrative and stylistic evolutions across the franchise, exploring how each installment reflects changing cultural attitudes while also considering how it builds upon or diverges from the original. The volume offers new insights into the study of film franchises, demonstrating how The Texas Chain Saw Massacre's cultural significance is inseparable from the sequels that followed.

MACABRE DAILY: WEEKLY UPDATES

💀 TABOO TERROR: The Adventures of Abe Snake & The Early Erotica of Wes "Hot Tracks" Craven (READ)

💀 COLLECTOR'S CRYPT - "SAURIANS" (VISUAL VENGEANCE BLU-RAY) (READ)

💀 SCARED SANE: “ARTICHOKE” (2026) Exposes The Heart Of A Survivor (REVIEW)

💀 “TEENAGE SEX AND DEATH AT CAMP MIASMA” (2026) Is A Surrealist Erotic Meta-Horror Slasher For Millennials (REVIEW)

💀 Reflections Of Extremity: Victim Blaming And Systemic Failure In "I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE 2" (2013) (READ)

SCREAMING SOON HORROR CALENDAR (2026-2028)

MEET THE HORRORVERSE TEAM

Brett Petersel | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd 

With the summer still going strong, all good things must come to an end. For the kids, that is. Yes, classes are back in session in some parts of the U.S., with more opening this week, and then most by the end of August/early September. So, in celebration (for parents who will enjoy the silence during the daytime), we welcome you to our School Horror issue!

This is one of my favorite issues to present. Why? Before all of "this", I was a schoolteacher, helping shape the minds of the future, and, once in a while, throwing on a classroom-safe horror film or album here and there (To my former sixth grade science students, I will never apologize for showing Evil Dead 2 and Army of Darkness. You should be thanking me!). While I may not have been in front of a classroom for 20 years, those were some of the best years of my life.

Now, when it comes to horror, there are a number of films or scenes that take place in a school, especially the classroom, which should be a safe space for all. From Founders Day to Saw IV, a once safe environment can be turned into a place of death.

IN THE NEWS

Brett Petersel | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd & Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

THE CREEP TAPES is returning for another season on Shudder, with the first two episodes premiering September 15th.

Zachary Wingon’s VICTORIAN PSYCHO, starring Maika Monroe, has been moved back from its original September premiere date. The movie will now premiere in theaters on Friday, November 13th.

Who’s ready for more Frendo? CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD 2: FRENDO LIVES is currently in development. 2025’s Clown in a Cornfield, performed well at the box office ($14 million on a $1 million production budget) and landed on Shudder, while a fourth book in Adam Cesare’s book franchise will be available on August 18th.

FAVORITE SCHOOL-BASED HORROR

Class is in session!

Your assignment: To watch all of the Horrorverse team's favorite school-based horror films, and then write a review for them on your social media accounts. Here are the films on this week's syllabus, which you can find on our Letterboxd page.

RECOMMENDED READING

Candi Norwood | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | StoryGraph | Website

I loved school, but I also had a lot of nightmares when I was in school. So. Here are some of my favorite recent school horror books.

Battle Royale by Koushun Takami- High school students are dropped onto a field and told to fight until only one is left standing. Smartly written but so brutal it was rejected out of hand for a literary award it was up for in Japan.

The Library at Hellebore by Cassandra Khaw- This is what would happen if you populated Brakebills (The Magicians) with gods and monsters then held a battle royale. We get all the aesthetics and tropes – hallowed halls, dusty tomes, and mysterious atmosphere – of dark academia with some pretty cool body horror that reads like poetry.

Whisper Down the Lane by Clay McLeod Chapman- Inspired by the McMartin preschool trial during the height of the Satanic Panic of the ‘80’s, Richard, an art teacher in Virginia, is forced to confront his past when a ritualistically murdered rabbit is left for him – but who could know about the lies he told when he was five years old that implicated a teacher and fueled a moral panic in his town?

The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson- I have not read this one yet, but it has been recommended by several people whose opinions I trust, so I am passing it along. This is a modern reimagining of Stephen King’s Carrie (a classic school based horror) set in Georgia.

WHAT TO WATCH

MACABRE DAILY: WEEKLY UPDATES

💀 "THE CREEP TAPES" Season 3 Springs Onto Shudder This September! (READ)

💀 Hanna Bergholm Shares How Her Personal Experience Shaped "NIGHTBORN" (INTERVIEW)

💀 HORROR THAT ALMOST HAPPENED: Cheech & Chong Meet Jason (READ)

💀 Spider One, Krsy Fox, and Brandon Scott on "BIG BABY" (2026) And The Modern Horror Community (INTERVIEW)

SCREAMING SOON HORROR CALENDAR (2026-2028)

MEET THE HORRORVERSE TEAM

Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

It’s almost August, which means we’re about to start my favorite time of the year, the 100 Horror Movies in 92 Days Challenge! It’s wild to me that we’re heading into the 7th year. What started as a way to quell boredom when we were all staying home because of COVID has now become a community of familiar faces. The first year started off with just one other person and me. Every year seems to get a little bigger. The one thing that stays the same is the core group of incredible folks on the challenge Discord server who are active all year. True community can be hard to come by on the internet, but somehow, we’ve seemed to have found it.

Come join us and see why every year folks are excited to take on the challenge. Even if you don’t think you will finish, that’s ok! The journey of discovering new potential favorites is the best part! I feel like every year I find a new favorite movie!

If you do decide to participate, remember to use hashtag #100HorrorMoviesIn92Days on socials and 100HorrorMoviesIn92Days on Letterboxd!

Hope to see y’all on the server and Happy Watching!

IN THE NEWS

Brett Petersel | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd & Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

After less than one month in theaters, Sébastien Vaniček's EVIL DEAD BURN will be available on Digital beginning August 4th. As for a physical (4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD) release, you'll have to wait until September 22nd and will include behind the scenes footage and more.

Whoever used their One Wish Willow for this, thank you. JENNIFER'S BODY 2, the sequel to the cult favorite Jennifer's Body, is moving forward, and production will begin this October. Returning are both Diablo Cody (writer) and Karyn Kusama (director) along with Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried. Words cannot contain our excitement!

Angry Orchard + SCREAM franchise = Let's get drunk! Well, in this case, the two have joined forces for a limited edition 12-pack of hard cider just in time for Scary Season!

We’re very excited for our friends, Emily Bennett and Justin Brooks, as their new film, BLOOD SHINE, will be released in theaters and Digital on August 21st via Dark Sky Films!

Popcorn Frights, the popular Florida-based genre film festival, just announced its third wave of programming. The event will be held August 6-16th in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

SCREAMING SOON HORROR CALENDAR (2026-2028)

100 HORROR MOVIES IN 92 DAYS LISTS

The 100 Horror Movies in 92 Days Challenge is back! Now in its 7th year, the challenge continues to bring together the horror comunity across the world as well as on multiple social media channels! This year, the Horrorverse and Macabre Daily team has put together their annual challenge lists so that you can follow them and check out what they're watching (while maybe finding a few new films for yourself to watch while you're at it!).

Learn more about the challenge here, and check out our lists: Brett | Candi | Sarah | Steven

RECOMMENDED READING

Candi Norwood | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | StoryGraph | Website

I love reading horror, but it’s horror movies that are on my mind this week. Here are a few of my favorite books whose language and/or plot were so cinematic, reading them almost felt like watching a movie.

Fabulous Bodies by Chuck Tingle- Influencer, florist, and grave robber - yeah, you read that right - Poppy Stringer supports her dreams of stardom by selling dead bodies. When she’s hired to deliver the body of her recently deceased idol, pop star Eddie Michaels, things go off the rails when he wakes up. It reads like a horror action comedy, and it’s a ton of fun.

Killer on the Road/The Babysitter Lives by Stephen Graham Jones- Two novellas packaged together; these are both cinematic slashers with supernatural elements and strong Indian final girls. Killer on the Road is an action-packed road trip in the vein of The Hitcher or Joy Ride, while The Babysitter Lives is a claustrophobic bottle story, and at perfect novella length, were easy to devour in one sitting.

Not Your Final Girl by Mikayla Randolph- One of my favorite horror film tropes is the “friends’ reunion where things go awry”, and this slasher reimagining of Tess of the d’Urbervilles starts with a group of high school friends reuniting several years post-graduation at a lakeside cabin. Read my full review here: https://candikathorror.com/reads/not-your-final-girl

TRAILERVILLE

MACABRE DAILY: WEEKLY UPDATES

💀 Get Your Watchlists Ready, Because 100 HORROR MOVIES IN 92 DAYS Is Coming! (READ)

💀 FANTASIA 2026: "NO REST FOR THE WICKED" (REVIEW)

💀 "THE DEVIL'S MOUTH" (2026) Won't Reinvent Sharksploitation, But It's Got Bite! (REVIEW)

💀 FANTASIA 2026: Michael Gabriele On Killer Nonni In The Holiday Horror, “UNHOLY NIGHT" (INTERVIEW)

💀 My Life of Chuck: Remembering Chuck Russell (READ)

MEET THE HORRORVERSE TEAM

Intro by Stephen Scarlata | Bluesky | Letterboxd | X | Podcast

Hey Horrorverse, I’m Stephen Scarlata, the director of Sharksploitation and co-host of the Best Movies Never Made podcast.

I’ve been a fan of shark movies for as long as I can remember, starting, of course, with Jaws. It didn't just make me a fan of the genre, but it cursed me into becoming a filmmaker.

Ever since I first saw it, I felt a desperate need to watch anything and everything with a shark in it. I was constantly chasing the dragon to replicate that pure Jaws adrenaline, but as many of you know, it’s a near impossible feat.

When I first started working on Sharksploitation, one of the very first things I did was open an Excel sheet to try and catalogue every single shark movie in existence. I stopped updating it a few years back once I hit shark movie #155. By my estimate, there must be well over 200 shark movies floating around out there by now.

So far, 2026 is turning out to be the year of aquatic survival horror, kicking off with films like Killer Whale, Thrash, Deep Water, and the upcoming The Bay and The Devil’s Mouth.

Now, you might be reading this and thinking, “Yo, you’re wrong. Aren’t all shark movies survival horror?” Well, yes and no. As we all know, Jaws jump-started the shark as a monster movie genre. There were films with sharks before 1975, of course, but Jaws cemented the formula that everyone copied for decades: a killer animal terrorizes a beach, a resort community, or a holiday weekend.

That trope dominated the '80s and carried all the way into the 2000s with Shark Attack 2, Shark Zone, Shark Swarm, Spring Break Shark Attack, and Syfy Channel-era titles like Toxic Shark.

But, a little indie movie called Open Water changed the game. It helped pave the way for a new subgenre, the minimalist, high-tension survival shark thriller. Suddenly, the focus shifted from a town being eaten to isolated individuals trapped in the elements. We later saw this template perfected by hits like The Reef, 47 Meters Down, and The Shallows.

Cut to today, and we are inundated with survival shark movies, mostly because they’re incredibly cost-effective to make. You don’t need to pay for a resort full of background extras anymore, you just need a few actors and open water. Look at releases from Frenzy, The Requin, Something in the Water, Maneater, or The Reef: Stalked. Even later this year, we have a really interesting aquatic survival title on the horizon, Whalefall.

But honestly, with all these stripped-down survival thrillers, I’m starting to miss the old days of a massive creature tearing up a crowded seaside community. We somewhat got it with The Meg movies, which slightly touched on that classic, chaotic energy, but I’d love to see more.

IN THE NEWS

Brett Petersel | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd & Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

With EVIL DEAD BURN scaring up audiences in theaters at this very moment, Fangoria shared the news that Fede Álvarez’s EVIL DEAD (2013) is getting the 4K Collector's Edition treatment on October 19th! This edition will include a 64-page booklet, new artwork, and bonus features including interviews, commentary, and more.

Freddy's Back! According to The Hollywood Reporter, after 16 years, a new A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET feature is in the works! The film, a remake based off of Wes Craven's original screenplay, will be released by Paramount's genre label, Paramount Primal. No word yet on casting, but we can't wait to see who will fill Robert Englund's legendary shoes and wear the famous sweater!

On August 11th, Lionsgate Limited will release the 4K version (it's first time available in the U.S. in this format) of THE DESCENT: PART 2. The film, directed by Jon Harris, is a direct sequel to 2005's THE DESCENT, which was directed by Neil Marshall. The 4K SteelBook includes new artwork from Matt Ryan Tobin as well as interview clips, both U.S. and international film trailers, audio commentary, and more. Preorder it via Lionsgate here.

Peacock's CRYSTAL LAKE series will premiere all 8 episodes on October 15, 2026, according to Bloody Disgusting.

EVIL DEAD BURN maybe didn't do so well at the U.S. box office, opening with a disappointing $13.7 million, but raked in a total of ~$40 million with worldwide ticket sales. Currently, the next film, EVIL DEAD WRATH, is set for theatrical release on April 7, 2028, but this may change due to BURN's performance.

SCREAMING SOON HORROR CALENDAR (2026-2028)

OUR FAVORITE SURVIVAL SHARK FILMS

Shark Horror has become quite the phenomenon over the last 10-plus years, thanks to the popularity of the Sharknado franchise. While Jaws was instrumental in driving fear into those who entered the waters, many years later, we're now scared of ghost sharks, tornados spewing out sharks left and right, and sharks that come out of tornados or are possessed by evil spirits, as well as sharks possessed by the devil. Trust us, there are plenty more absurd shark horror films out there.

In the meantime, with Stephen Scarlata, the Horrorverse team put together a list featuring many of our favorite shark horror films! Check out the list on Letterboxd.

WHAT TO WATCH

RIYL: 47 METERS DOWN: UNCAGED (2019)

This week, our guest contributor, Stephen Scarlata, director of Sharksploitation, is here to educate the masses on all things Shark Horror! For this week's Recommended If You Like, he chose 2019's 47 Meters Down: Uncaged (read his review in the Notes section), and the Horrorverse team followed along and chose our favorite picks to go along with it! Sink your teeth into our list on Letterboxd!

GORE-MET PAIRINGS

Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

Movie: Deep Blue Sea

Synopsis: Researchers on the undersea lab Aquatica have genetically altered the brains of captive sharks to develop a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. But there’s an unexpected side effect: the sharks got smarter, faster, and more dangerous. After a big storm damages their remote research facility, they must fight for their lives.

Why I Chose This Film: I chose Deep Blue Sea because not only is it a fun film to watch, but one of the main characters is a chef! Furthermore, he shares a recipe as a sort of last will and testament. If that isn't a fun bit of gastro horror, I don't know what is.

Pairing Idea: Remember that recipe I mentioned just a second ago? We recreated it and put our own spin on it over on Geeks Who Eat! That's right, we made Preacher's Perfect Omelet! It's full of (non-modified) brain food and is surprisingly easy to make! Enjoy!

MACABRE DAILY: WEEKLY UPDATES

💀 9 Horror Movies With Immaculate Small Town Vibes (READ)

💀 PAPER CUTS: J.F. Dubeau And Amy Frost Talk Cooking Up A Great Scare! (INTERVIEW)

💀 How "FRANKIE, MANIAC WOMAN" (2025) Exacts Revenge On Society's Disdain For Bigger Bodies (RANT)

💀 The Films We're Looking Forward To At This Year's FANTASIA FILM FESTIVAL! (READ)

MEET THE HORRORVERSE TEAM

Intro by Matthew Stubbs | Bluesky | Letterboxd

Hey everyone - I’m Matthew Stubbs. You may know me as Mr. Sarah Stubbs Says or, as Brett likes to call me, “the guy in the chair” because I’m sitting in the background of so many of his Zoom calls sharing the office with Sarah. Yes, I love horror movies like we all do, but let me tell you what scares me and why.

The world around us is built on technology and hidden systems that do work for us. Most people have only the slightest understanding of this hidden mysterious world. What would happen if malignant forces inhabited that invisible realm? Would they turn our tech against us? How would we know? This fear of the unknown is what drives horror films based on technology. Yet, I delve into this mysterious realm as a hacker, explorer, and application security engineer by day. Every day, I look behind the curtain and what I see scares me.

IN THE NEWS

Brett Petersel | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd & Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

Beginning today, July 3rd, LEE CRONIN'S THE MUMMY will stream exclusively on HBO Max. The film, which was written and directed by Cronin, premiered in theaters in April 2026, grossing almost $100M on a $22M budget.

Shudder’s July schedule is here and it is packed with an incredible lineup, both old and new, including Faces of Death (2026) and Exit 8, as well as classics like Dead Snow and Ghost Ship!

Missed OBSESSION in theaters? Wait no more as this year's highest grossing horror film heads to VOD on June 30th.

After the success of CHUCKY, and with the forthcoming CRYSTAL LAKE (and possibly TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE), it looks like another beloved franchise is making its way to the small screen. PHANTASM, which premiered in 1979 and had a 4K restoration back in 2016 thanks to J.J. Abrams, is currently under development. Fingers crossed that the Tall Man comes back sooner rather than later!

The saw is family! On August 18th, Fathom Entertainment and Dark Sky Films are celebrating Texas Chain Saw Day with the 1974 classic, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Click here to learn more about tickets.

John Carpenter + Turner Classic Movies = A match made in heaven! This month, Carpenter will both curate and co-host a mini-marathon of science fiction and horror films, including The Quatermass Xperiment and Curse of the Demon. You can check out the schedule on TCM.com.

SCREAMING SOON HORROR CALENDAR (2026-2028)

OUR FAVORITE TECH HORROR

Technology, from the Internet to smart devices, have proven to be beneficial to humanity, but they've also contributed to its downfall. Our homes and offices are equipped with the latest devices, from smart refrigerators to digital thermostats, and we use Internet programs and tools to purchase items and help us communicate with others, such as Zoom and Amazon. Let's also not forget about Ai and drones, both which are changing how we experience events or remain productive. These things have become integrated into our daily lives that we forget the harm they may cause, which is why, with this week's theme, the Horrorverse team put together a list of our favorite Tech Horror films that will make you think twice before you turn on that webcam or visit a certain website. Click here to see our full list on Letterboxd.

RECOMMENDED READING

Candi Norwood | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | StoryGraph | Website

For this week’s Tech Horror topic, my mind immediately went to one modern author, Mason Coile (pseudonym for author Andrew Pyper, who sadly passed away last year). Under this pseudonym, he wrote three tech horror novellas. I’ve read two, and the third is scheduled for release in September, and I’m recommending them here.

William – Henry and Lily are happily married and expecting their first child. Henry is a brilliant robotics engineer who has built a high-tech security system for their home and is currently building a robot with an AI consciousness, which he calls William. William becomes obsessed with Lily, so Henry destroys him…but he still haunts their home. It gets so creepy and tense, if you weren’t worried about our robot overlords before, you will be after reading this.

Exiles – Three crew - two men, Blake and Kang, and one woman, who also serves as our narrator, Gold, are the first humans being sent on a one-way mission to Mars to finalize preparations for colonists. Three robots were sent ahead to ready the base for their arrival, but when they get there, they find the base destroyed and one robot missing. And that’s just the tip of the creepy iceberg. Read my full review here: https://candikathorror.com/reads/exiles

Driven – I have an advance copy of this but haven’t had a chance to read yet. It looks like it will have the same psychological horror mixed with technology that the previous two works did. A man gets trapped inside a self-driving car which forces him to confront his traumatic past as it forces him to become an accomplice to its violent crimes. Keep an eye on my blog and Instagram for my full review. (Release date: 9/8/26)

WHAT TO WATCH

Fresh off the heels of the Chattanooga Film Fest, Sarah has some recommendations for your watchlist! From documentaries to shorts, she shares some of her highlights from the festival and tells you how you can get a little piece of the fest each month! [Read on Sarah Stubbs Says]

It's the start of the month which means it's time for a new monthly Gastro Horror Streaming Guide! From Saccharine hitting Shudder to the full Hannibal series hitting Netflix, there is a lot to be excited for! [Read on Sarah Stubbs Says]

TRAILERVILLE

MACABRE DAILY: WEEKLY UPDATES

💀 Millennial Nasties: Why I Prefer 2000s Slashers Over 1980s Slashers (RANT)

💀 CFF 2026: "PITFALL" (2026) Makes A Great Case For Staying Indoors This Summer (REVIEW)

💀 TABOO TERROR: Stryker vs Evil Dead — Is “AFTER DEATH” (1989) The Ultimate “ZOMBI” Film? (READ)

💀 Trailer Park: "THE OUTER THREAT," "CRUEL HANDS," "BIG BABY," "HOT SPOT," And "UNTIL YOU'RE ALONE" (READ)

MEET THE HORRORVERSE TEAM

Hi! My name is Chris Dortch and I’m the Festival Director and Lead Film Programmer for the Chattanooga Film Festival in Tennessee. The good folks here at Horrorverse were kind enough to invite me back to gab a bit about a topic near and dear to my heart indie horror. America might run on Dunkin’ but at our festival indie genre cinema is the best part of wakin’ up. Since our festival began in 2013 finding and showcasing great independent horror has felt like something of a moral imperative. Over the years we’ve received death threats, run afoul of anti-Satan protesters (funny enough Hail Satan? wasn’t exactly the movie they feared it would be). Living here in the Southeast has often felt like living in the actual buckle of the Bible Belt and something about that makes us want to lean even harder into the dark side of cinema so really they’re only making it worse. Haha.

In a time when AI is threatening to devalue human creativity and billionaire execs slowly gobble up every studio our antitrust laws will allow, we think now is an awfully important time to use our platform to celebrate and elevate independent voices. And while I suspect that the studios still haven’t learned their lesson post the runaway success of Backrooms and Obsession, it’s our earnest hope that those a-holes learn what those of us here cheering in the stands for horror already know and that’s that we’d rather see 100, 200,000-dollar or million-dollar movies over some bland broke-off IP that’s focus-grouped to fuck 200 million dollar mega-mess that’s sanded down of any rough edges in an attempt to appeal to the moviegoing masses. To paraphrase the immortal words of Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott if they don’t wanna know fuck ‘em.

Yours sincerely from the CFF Trenches,

Chris Dortch

SCREAMING SOON HORROR CALENDAR (2026-2028)

IN THE NEWS

Brett Petersel | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd & Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

With Evil Dead Burn hitting theaters on July 10th, we're getting some new details about 2028's Evil Dead Wrath, which will be directed by Francis Galluppi. The film will be set in 1972, meaning it takes place before 1981's The Evil Dead. Things are about to get groovy!

Actress Daveigh Chase, known for her work in 2002’s The Ring (young Samara) and voicing Lilo in Lilo & Stitch, has sadly passed away at the age of 35.

Spider One’s next film, Big Baby, is ready to make a big splash! The slasher, which counts legendary singer Cher as an executive producer, will be available on VOD on August 7th. Check out the film’s new teaser here.

Lionsgate Limited is having a Father’s Day sale, which runs until June 23rd. This is a great time to pick up some (or all) of your favorite films for 40% off. Titles include Battle Royale, It Follows, May, You’re Next, and more!

RECOMMENDED IF YOU LIKE: PONTYPOOL (2008)

When Undertone was released earlier this year complete with pull quotes that pronounced it “the scariest movie you’ll ever hear,” I fully expected to see more mention of Bruce McDonald’s batshit insane audio-driven indie horror but alas this was not the case. McDonald’s film is a single-location nightmare anchored by a scenery-chewing, flat-out awesome performance from Stephen McHattie, whose craggy voice and ever-present cowboy hat add immensely to the proceedings. It’s intense, funny, arty, and the kinda thing that maybe some folks would call “elevated” these days but I prefer to think of it as COOL. Check out our list on Letterboxd.

RECOMMENDED READING

Candi Norwood | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | StoryGraph | Website

I managed a bookstore back in the late 1900’s, and I’m pretty sure the only independently published books we sold were The Ghosts of Virginia series and like one other Colonial Williamsburg book. Otherwise, indie publishing – and especially indie horror – conjured up thoughts of a random dude printing off copies of his weird ramblings at Kinko’s and trying to sell it as The Great American Novel. But now – now some of the best horror I’ve read is coming from small indie presses – it’s a good time to be a horror fan.

Hearts Strange and Dreadful by Tim McGregor- Newly reprinted by one of my favorite indie horror publishers, Raw Dog Screaming Press, Hearts Strange and Dreadful is a witchy historical folk horror coming of age novella that takes place in 1821 Rhode Island. Read my full review: https://candikathorror.com/reads/hearts-strange-and-dreadful

She Waits Where Shadows Gather by Michelle Tang- Originally known more for mystery than horror, Poisoned Pen Press has become another standout indie horror publisher; She Waits Where Shadows Gather is a Filipino Gothic horror novel complete with a haunted house, Filipino folklore, and a fractured family. Full review: https://candikathorror.com/reads/she-waits-where-shadows-gather 

Sarafina by Philip Fracassi- CLASH Books is an indie known for their literary works, and they take their literary horror seriously. One of my top reads so far this year, Sarafina is told primarily from the point of view of Ethan Belle, youngest of three brothers who desert the Confederate Army and find refuge with a mysterious woman called Sarafina and her son, Titus. Then things really get dark. Full review: https://candikathorror.com/reads/sarafina

The Hauntings Back Home: A Collection of Ghost Stories by Rebecca Cuthbert- Fairly new on my radar, Undertaker Books have published a couple of my favorite works from the past year or so. The Hauntings Back Home is a beautiful, haunting, sweet, sad, funny collection of stories that explore grief, death, and fear. Full Review: https://candikathorror.com/reads/the-hauntings-back-home

What are some of your favorite indie horror books or publishers?

OUR FAVORITE INDIE HORROR FILMS

While we’re all aware of the major blockbusters taking over the theatrical box office, the Horrorverse team put together a list of our favorite indie horror films that deserves more recognition. Check out our picks on Letterboxd.

TRAILERVILLE

MACABRE DAILY: WEEKLY UPDATES

💀 8 Horror Movies With Complicated Protagonists (READ)

💀 "THE VOICES OF OUR MOTHER" (2026) Preach For A Religious Horror Renaissance (REVIEW)

💀 PAPER CUTS: Sarah Stubbs From HORRORVERSE Brings Us Some Amazing Book Recs! (PODCAST)

💀 SPINNIN' SCARIES: An Exploration Into Horror Film Scores With "DONNIE DARKO" (2001) (READ)

MEET THE HORRORVERSE TEAM

When it comes to horror, it's not just about the chills and thrills. Horror relies on other elements to help tell a story, so incorporating a bit of comedy helps a movie flow, even when you may feel it doesn't fit. Over the years, films such as Evil Dead II, The Cabin in the Woods and Waxwork relied on the small comedic moments to help progress or shift the stories unfolding in front of us, but they didn't take away from the true meaning of the film. It feels more like a short segue, possibly giving us a little laugh before the real terror begins or, you know, to lighten the mood. Also, did you know that laughing for 15 minutes can help burn 40-50 calories? So, look, there's a benefit to this after all.

IN THE NEWS

Brett Petersel | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd & Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

With his time running out at Shudder, Joe Bob Briggs has no plans to slow down. Briggs announced that his new show, The Last Drive-In: Final Chapter - Joe Bob in Space, will begin in January 2027. While that title is not yet set in stone and no announcement as to where the show will be streamed, we know many folks are looking forward to seeing what he and Darcy the Mail Girl do next!

Kane Parsons is officially the youngest director to have a #1 movie at the box office! This past weekend, his film, Backrooms, dominated the box office with over $80M in ticket sales (and is looking to have another strong weekend as this issue goes out)!

While we all anxiously await the next Evil Dead film, Evil Dead Burn, which premieres on July 10th, we’re already excited for the next installment, Evil Dead Wrath, which is just getting off the ground (principal photography has wrapped)! No details about the film have been released except for casting, but we’re positive it’ll include a Necronomicon or two.

With the continued popularity of Obsession, Collider is reporting that Universal has pulled the film from its upcoming digital release calendar. That means if you're waiting for VOD, you're going to be waiting awhile! Go check it out in the theaters while it's there and support horror!

SCREAMING SOON HORROR CALENDAR (2026-2028)

RECOMMENDED READING

Candi Norwood | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | StoryGraph | Website

The first names that pop to mind (or to the first page of your Google search) in the world of reading horror comedy are guys like Jason Pargin (the John Dies at the End series) or Grady Hendrix (for things like Horrorstör and My Best Friend’s Exorcism), so, yeah, go read those, they’re funny, but I want to recommend a few that you won’t see on every horror comedy list:

Dollface by Lindy Ryan- Horror author Jill Marshall finds herself in a situation too horrific even for one of her own novels: living next door to the PTA president. A slasher horror comedy for adults. Also check out Ryan’s Bless Your Heart series: Generations of women run a funeral home in a small town – which occasionally requires making sure the bodies stay dead.

iZombie by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred- A comic series (but the run has ended so you’re not signing up for the world) about a young gravedigger turned detective when she becomes a revenant and gains the memories of the person whose brain she eats. Her Scooby gang includes a ghost from the ‘60’s and a were-terrier. The tv show is fun, too, but different enough to enjoy both.

The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher- I’m going to keep recommending T. Kingfisher until every one of you tells me you’ve read something by her. She tends to have snarky narrators, and this one has a lot of quirky humor as Kara, much like Alice and the Pevensie children, finds a portal to another dimension – in Kara’s case many other dimensions – through a wall in her uncle’s museum. Wackiness – and horror – ensues.

What off-the-radar horror comedies should I read next?

TRAILERVILLE

WHAT TO WATCH

Looking for this month's gastro horror offerings newly available on streaming? Check out Sarah's guide!

OUR FAVORITE HORROR COMEDIES

Horror isn’t just about the scares. This week, the Horrorverse team came together to share our favorite horror comedies that we think you’ll get a lot of laughs out of (the films, not our list). Check out the list on Letterboxd.

GORE-MET PAIRINGS

Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

Movie: Scary Movie (2026)

Synopsis: Twenty-six years after outrunning a suspiciously familiar masked killer, the Core Four are back in the killer’s crosshairs and no horror movie IP is safe.

Why I Chose This Film: I chose this film because this week we're talking about all things horror comedy and Scary Movie (2026) is a horror comedy that's releasing today!

Pairing Idea: There are so many pairing ideas for this movie that we put together a guide on Geeks Who Eat! We included some of our recipes as well as some general munchie ideas!

MACABRE DAILY: WEEKLY UPDATES

💀 Festival Founder And Director, Chris Dortch II, Gets Us Ready For Chattanooga Film Fest! (PODCAST)

💀 Scenes From The Underground: Dissecting the “FACES OF DEATH” Franchise (RANT)

💀 Director Kenji Tanigaki And Executive Producer Bill Kong On Why "THE FURIOUS" Will Save Action Cinema (INTERVIEW)

MEET THE HORRORVERSE TEAM

Intro by Sean O’Connor | Instagram | Threads

Hey there Horrorverse! What a treat it is to take over this incredible space for a bit. I’m Sean O’Connor, the Editor of the PAPER CUTS Horror Literature column over at MacabreDaily.com. And what exactly does an Editor for a horror literature column do, you may ask. Great question, turns out a hell of a lot of reading, and when that’s done, a bunch more reading, and when all that reading is done, I can finally get to the reading I’ve been putting off. Is all that reading worth it? You bet your life it is! I have the immense pleasure of reviewing some of the most incredible horror being written today, and interviewing the phenomenally gifted authors who create these beautiful nightmares. Getting to the point where I have publicists ask me to review a book or interview an author is “pinch me” exciting, and I still can’t believe I get to chat with some of the most dynamic voices in horror. Horror Literature is having the kind of bombastic moment not seen since the paperback horror heyday of the 80s, except this time the door is open for everyone, not just middle-aged white men. No matter who you are or what your vibe, horror has you covered.

This inclusivity not only makes the landscape richer but also opens amazing new avenues for creativity, leading to some of the best horror fiction ever to see print in the history of the written word! By now, you’ve realized that I’m an exhaustive windbag and something of a drama queen, but it doesn’t make these statements any less true. If you’re a dedicated horror reader or someone who has never taken the plunge but is horror curious, jump on in, the water's fine.

When I’m not buried in a book, I also co-host the “Fear on Film” Podcast with cinephile and all-around supermensch, Joe Velazquez. I’m so grateful to be part of the horror community, especially having one foot in the literary world and the other in the film world. It gives me a particular insight into just how important a solid script is in bringing terror to life.

IN THE NEWS

Brett Petersel | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd 

Will The Backrooms take over the box office this weekend? According to Bloody Disgusting’s Instagram, Kane Parsons’ film is expected to rake in $40-50M during its first weekend, most likely due to strong ticket sales and word of mouth, while Curry Barker’s Obsession continues to maintain a strong top presence.

After months, even years, of chatter about a new Maniac Cop film (remake), which at one time was said to be a television series, director Nicolas Winding Refn will begin filming in January 2027. The film, which is supported by Mubi, will release it in theaters in late 2027.

We may be months away from Scary Season, but that’s not stopping Shudder from delivering its June 2026 (US) schedule that’s full of chills and thrills! With a handful of Exclusives and Originals, including Find Your Friends, The Voices of Our Mother and The Ice Tower, other additions include Sleepaway Camp II and III, Evil Dead 2, and John Carpenter’s Vampires!

SCREAMING SOON HORROR CALENDAR (2026-2028)

TRAILERVILLE

WHAT TO WATCH

May is almost over but there is still time for a little bit more folk horror! Lee Haven Jones' The Feast is not only folk horror, but gastro horror as well! This underseen and underrated gem is a slow burn film that will get under your skin. Final Girls Feast recently did an episode all about it joined by Keene Short, who you'll recognize from our Folk Horror Issue! (LISTEN)

ISOLATION HORROR

The theme I’ve chosen to pair with my movie choice is “Isolation.” A good “Radio/Podcast” horror film really soars when the protagonist is isolated from any kind of help. It dramatically escalates the stakes and works remarkably well at pulling the audience into the film. If you’d like to explore the theme of “Isolation” in horror further, check these movies out and enjoy! Check out the list on Letterboxd.

CREATORS CORNER

Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

With this issue discussing podcasts and radio shows in horror, I thought it would be fun to shout out some of the horror podcasts I enjoy (including my own, sorry, not sorry)!

• A Nightmare on Fierce Street- A monstrous podcast about all things horror.
• Pleasers and Punishers Podcast- A weekly podcast about movies people love to watch, movies that ruin your today, tomorrow, and yesterday, and all things kinky & queer!
• The Pod and the Pendulum- A horror movie podcast covering every movie in every franchise. From heavy hitters like Friday the 13th, to the direct-to-video titles like Subspecies, they’ve got you covered, whether you want them to or not.
• Girl, That's Scary!- Your favorite homegirls choppin’ it up about all things Horror, Sci-Fi & more
• Rise from the Dead Podcast- AshXAshes, J3RM and Mike and Serial discuss lesser known horror gems and decide if they should “rise from the dead” or stay buried.
• Macabre Daily’s PAPER CUTS!- Macabre Daily's PAPER CUTS! is a podcast showcasing interviews with some of the most interesting authors working in horror literature today! Host Sean O'Connor takes you on a tour into the darker side of literature with weekly episodes every Thursday.
• The Macabre Daily Podcast- The Macabre Daily Podcast, an extension of MacabreDaily.com is your go-to podcast for all things macabre and scary in the world of Movies, TV, Books, Comics, and Games! Hosts Matt Orozco and Lowell Greenblatt share their favorite films, talk horror with interesting guests, and cover horror happenings around the world!
• Final Girls Feast- Carrie and Sarah have teamed up to create Final Girls Feast, a podcast discussing Gastro Horror and food in horror movies!
• Dads From the Crypt- Dads from the Crypt delves into the dark world of horror anthology TV and film, exploring such chilling tales as Tales From the Crypt, The Twilight Zone, Creepshow, and Black Mirror.
• Creepy and Geeky Podcast- Hosted by Robert Clark, Creepy and Geeky is a podcast that celebrates the love of horror, comic books, cult cinema, and more with episodes every week.

RIYL: THE FOG (1980)

For this takeover of “Radio/Podcast” themed terror, I chose one of the best, John Carpenter’s The Fog. The reason is simple. Seeing this film, at the very impressionable age of 12 or 13, I, like so many teens back then, fell madly in love with Stevie Wayne of WKAB Antonio Bay. We were probably meant to crush hard on Jamie Lee Curtis, and I’m sure we did, but it was the confidence and effortless cool of Adrienne Barbeau in the role that stayed with me. The simple fact that Stevie Wayne chose to stay on air, knowing she would be isolated, and eventually enveloped by the fog, and the nightmares born from the cursed ship Elizabeth Dane within it, so that she could try to save as many citizens of Antonio Bay as she could with the brief time she had left, makes her a hero and rad af in my opinion. Check out the list on Letterboxd.

MACABRE DAILY: WEEKLY UPDATES

💀 The Women of “SACCHARINE” (2026) Help Us Digest The Horror (INTERVIEW)

💀 Is “FACES OF DEATH” (1978) An American Mondo Masterpiece? (RANT)

💀 Costume Designer Blair James Shares The Secrets Behind The Wardrobe In "OBSESSION" (INTERVIEW)

💀 "sMOTHERed" (2026) Falters With Its Unique Folklore-Inspired Premise (REVIEW)

RECOMMENDED READING

Candi Norwood | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | StoryGraph | Website

There’s something about listening to an audiobook who narrative is at least in part told through a podcast that makes it scarier and more real, so for this week’s focus on podcast and radio horror, I’m going to link you to my reviews of three books I recommend which follow that format (and do tandem written/audiobook if that works for you because, wow, is it immersive) and tell you about a fourth involving radio that’s on my TBR (to be read) list.

House of Margins by Tlotlo Tsamaase – A mix of African Gothic, a true crime podcast, and a haunted house. (Full Review)

This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum – Can men and women be friends? Plus a true crime (and other near-death situations) podcast! (Full Review)

Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson – Poe witnessed her mother’s murder when she was 13, and now she hosts – a true crime podcast! – where her guests confess their crimes, small and large. (Full Review)

And the one on my TBR that sounds really good: Southern Gods by John Horner Jacobs – a Southern gothic novel where a broadcast of a phantom radio station is said to “make living men insane and dead men rise.”

Have you read any of these? What’s missing from this list that you recommend?

MEET THE HORRORVERSE TEAM

Please note that the Horrorverse team is taking off next Friday, May 22nd for Memorial Day weekend.
We look forward to seeing you on Friday, May 29th.

Intro by Brian Cartwright | Bluesky | Letterboxd | Website

I am Brian Cartwright, a film critic, and I maintain the oft-neglected website rewindfee.com. I’m taking over this week because when I visited Los Angeles I discovered the city was in my blood and soul and I wager with reflection you’ll find it in yours too.

The first time I visited Los Angeles in February 2005, it rained while I was at Hollywood Forever. I had not rented a car and got caught in the downpour, where the atmosphere felt less like a tourist destination and more like a site of active, ancient defense. Angry geese guarded Hattie McDaniel’s monument, and Mel Blanc’s headstone offered a grim recontextualization of a cartoon sign-off I’d known since childhood. But it was the graves of Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and Jr. that truly shook me. With the elegant reflecting pool merging into the gray deluge of the storm, the site looked less like a tomb and more like an altar. Standing there, soaked and isolated, I felt as if I had stumbled upon the high holy place of a forgotten religion.

This is the headspace I occupy when I think about Hollywood as folk horror. Folk horror is often defined by the "Old Ways," which are rituals and belief systems that the modern world has consciously abandoned but which still hum beneath the surface. In Los Angeles, these Old Ways are not found in cornfields or apple orchards. They are found in the seemingly endless supply of murals of old Hollywood and the sacrifices made to maintain the image. The institution demands offerings. It requires the consumption of figures like George Reeves and Marilyn Monroe to sustain its own mythic weight. It is about the boundary between the human being and sacred idol.

Hollywood is a landscape of precarity governed by a cycle of constant immolation. It is an industry that routinely consumes past versions of itself, burying the history of places like Edendale to pave the way for the next iteration of the dream. This is a geography built on the unfulfilled promise of fantastic riches. It is a legacy of the postwar real estate boom where the silhouettes of oil derricks stood like skeletal totems promising wealth that rarely trickled down to the faithful.

The city has always been a hotbed for fringe beliefs, a place where the line between a studio and a sanctuary is dangerously thin. From the rattlesnakes Synanon mailed to its enemies to the paranoid compounds of the Manson Family and the sprawling, corporate hagiography of Scientology, Los Angeles functions as a laboratory for the desperate.

You put your identity into the machinery by working two or three jobs just to survive in the city while balancing the grind of auditions and callbacks. You participate in acting classes that range from worthless to outright scams. You wrestle with the temptation to cross over to the Valley, where the adult industry offers immediate money but threatens to burn any chance for mainstream legitimacy. You do all of this in the spring, hoping for a harvest of fame in the fall, a bounty of sweeping spotlights, screaming fans, and your name etched above the title on a glowing marquee, all while navigating a landscape haunted by its own foundational myth.

IN THE NEWS

Brett Petersel | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd & Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | Website

Vinegar Syndrome and OCN Distribution are having their inaugural at Barnes and Noble through June 7th! Select titles are up to 50% off! Shop now!

Chattanooga Film Festival has announced their final wave of programming for this year's festival! The cinema suplex includes 3 more world premieres and a US premiere! You can get the full details and buy badges on their site!

While this news has popped up numerous times over the past few years, we finally have an update on the third Happy Death Day film. Jessica Rothe is on board for a third film, as is director Christopher Landon, for the at-this-moment titled film, Happy Death Day to Us.

It worked for American Psycho and The Evil Dead, so why not Paranormal Activity? That’s right, a stage adaptation of the popular 2007 film will be heading to New York City’s Broadway, where it will begin previews in mid-August before officially opening in mid-September.

Are you ready to ring in the new year with Art the Clown? After taking over Halloween and Christmas, Terrifier writer and director Damien Leone confirms (via Instagram) that Art will terrorize unsuspecting victims around New Year’s Eve! Returning are David Howard Thornton as Art the Clown and franchise favorite Lauren LaVera!

SCREAMING SOON HORROR CALENDAR (2026-2027)

WHAT TO WATCH

What do an early aughts Dracula film, a genre bending silent film, and an Italian self exploration by way of horror film have in common? They were all movies on Sarah's April Recommendations! You can read more about them and others in her full article!

HORROR FILMS THAT TAKE PLACE IN LOS ANGELES

Los Angeles is a hotbed of altars and sacrifices in the name. Brian Cartwright and the Horrorverse team have assembled a list of some of the best horror set in the city of stars! Check out the list on Letterboxd.

RIYL: NOPE (2022)

Jordan Peele’s NOPE captures that specific Los Angeles delusion: the belief that if you can just get it on film, the industry won't eventually consume you, too. It centers on the wreckage of Hollywood’s sacrificial history, specifically the erasure of the black jockey who served as the industry’s first literal motion picture. Framing the Hollywood machine as a biological predator, a hungry god demanding constant attention, the film turns the act of looking into a survival gamble. There is something profoundly unsettling about how the characters attempt to commodify a nightmare, treating lethal atmospheric terror as another production hurdle to be cleared. Check out the list on Letterboxd.

MACABRE DAILY: WEEKLY UPDATES

💀CHATTANOOGA FILM FESTIVAL Shares Final Wave Lineup To Scare The Hell Out Of This Summer! (READ)

💀“BUFFET INFINITY” (2026) Serves Up Social Commentary And Nostalgia In A Gastro Horror Wrapper (REVIEW)

💀Joe Swanberg Discusses His Love Of Horror And Uplifting Filmmakers In The Genre (INTERVIEW)

💀REFLECTIONS OF EXTREMITY: Survival And Brutal Revenge In "THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT" (2009) (READ)

RECOMMENDED READING

Candi Norwood | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | StoryGraph | Website

As an East Coast human, my idea of LA is a bit of hand-wavy bottom half of California, so if my locations are inexact, maybe you should have thought of that before having California take up 2/3 of the U.S. Pacific coastline. That said, I do know that only a portion of Reluctant Immortals is in LA, but I’m still counting it.

Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle- Bury Your Gays is queer, funny, campy, horrifying, and full of Hollywood satire. Just when it seems Misha is about to achieve his ultimate goal – an Oscar win – he is asked to kill off the gay characters of his streaming series “for the algorithm”. Soon after refusing, he realizes he’s being stalked by monsters, but not just any monsters –he’s being attacked by his very own creations.

Maeve Fly by C.J. Leede- Playing a “theme park” (read: Disney) princess is enough to drive anyone off the edge, but I’m pretty sure Maeve started there. She’s actually really good at her job, and the kids love her, but this princess has a dark side. This is a wild, bloody ride and it won’t be for everyone, but if you don’t mind unlikeable main characters and your sex and (especially) violence on the extreme side, the dark humor is worth the novella length read.

Reluctant Immortals by Gwendolyn Kiste- If feminist Gothic horror is more your speed, check out Reluctant Immortals. Lucy Westera and Bertha Mason are undead immortals living in 1967 Los Angeles when the men who were responsible turn up in San Francisco, and they band together to go confront them. Who are those men? You may have recognized these women’s names – Lucy is one of Dracula’s victims, and Bertha is the “mad” attic-bound first wife of Jane Eyre’s Mr. Rochester.

MEET THE HORRORVERSE TEAM

Intro by Candi Norwood | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | StoryGraph | Website

Hi, Horrorverse! I’m Candi Norwood, and you know me from further down the page where I recommend books, but the team let me take over this week for Appalachian Horror. My creds: I was born, raised, and currently live in central Appalachia where we say Apple-Atcha, and I am currently writing an Appalachian horror novel.

I love all kinds of horror and have for as far back as my memories go, and the first horror stories I remember came from my Appalachian childhood, the warnings from my papaw and the ghost stories that my great-aunt Sid swore to her dying day were true and the time my step-grandmother said my then 8-year old sister was of the devil because she was wearing the color red. A lot of the warnings I heard were passed down in the tradition of folklore, and now that the “folk” we get our “lore” from are the faces and voices from social media, people all over the world are hearing these same stories and warnings, like “If you heard something call your name, no, you didn’t,” and “don’t whistle at night.” One of my distant relatives (the “rich” side of the family, I guess) owns a huge mansion on a private drive in our tiny, rural town called “Cliffs of Ghost Rock Lane,” so is it really a wonder that gothic and folk horror continue to be among my favorites? It’s in my blood.

Smarter people than I have written essays and books on how Appalachia is not a monolith of meth-addicted hillbillies, so I’m going to resist the urge to lecture you about the multitudes contained within Appalachia and Appalachian horror. These hills are among the oldest in the world, and much like modern American music can trace some of its roots back to the blend of British/Irish/Scottish folk music and African-American blues and spirituals that converged in these hills and across the South, many types of stories can as well.

Some of my recommended Appalachian horror films (and a bonus podcast!): Starting with a fun twist on the hillbilly horror film is Tucker and Dale vs. Evil which is as much a comedy of errors as a horror film. Getting even further away from the hillbilly stereotype are folk horror in films like Jug Face (or the podcast Old Gods of Appalachia), creature/survival horror like The Descent, or horror mysteries like The Mothman Prophecies. You can even look to Appalachia for the infamous found footage film The Blair Witch Project and the classic Southern Gothic film The Night of the Hunter. And here you thought it was just going to be seven Wrong Turn movies.

IN THE NEWS

Brett Petersel | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd & Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd

“Hello, I want you to read a book.” Saw: The Ultimate Pop-Up Book is hitting bookshelves this September and will feature 12 interactive pages of trap-filled goodness! Pre-order the book here.

Jonathan Tiersten, one of the stars of Sleepaway Camp, has sadly passed away at the age of 60. Tiersten portrayed Ricky, Angela's cousin in the film. The Horrorverse Team sends their condolences to his family and loved ones.

A fourth A Quiet Place film is coming our way, once again directed by Jim Halpert, er… John Krasinski. With the full cast now announced, with many returning from A Quiet Place II, details about the film’s plot are currently kept under wraps. A Quiet Place III will (not so) quietly hit theaters in July 2027.

SCREAMING SOON HORROR CALENDAR (2026-2027)

DOUBLE TROUBLE

Candi Norwood | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd & Sarah Stubbs | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd

Wrong Turn 2: Dead End aka Survivor Goes to West Virginia has all the cannibalistic goodness from the first Wrong Turn but with 100% more Henry Rollins who is perfect as he explains, with a straight face, the arbitrary and convoluted rules to the survival reality show he’s hosting, where 6 contestants have to survive in the Appalachian wilderness with nothing but their skills and whatever the producers provide to keep them from literally dying. Of course, it’s not the bears or starvation that’s going to get them, it’s the locals. Henry Rollins’ 30 second speech yelled into another character’s face about growing up 2 counties away and not to believe the hillbilly stereotypes is why this is my favorite Wrong Turn. [written by Candi]

When talking to Candi about doing this week's Double Trouble, I kind of felt like doing a Wrong Turn pairing was the way to go. It combines her love of Appalachian Horror (which I also enjoy) and my love of gastro horror! Since she chose my all time favorite entry, I thought it would be fun to talk about another favorite of mine, Wrong Turn 4: Bloody Beginnings! My ranking of this franchise is basically a hot take in and of itself but my love of this film especially takes the cake. Not only is it partially a prequel, but it's setting isn't the backwoods. Instead it takes place in a mental hospital in a snowy setting. The gore and effects work are a ton of fun and there is even a cannibal fondue scene! It's a far from perfect film, but it's a good time! Honestly, you can skip the 3rd film and just go from 2 to 4 and be just fine! [written by Sarah]

WHAT TO WATCH

Since we are talking all things Appalachian this week, we asked Candi to share some of her favorite Appalachian horror shorts so that folks could dip their toe into Appalachian horror!

APPALACHIAN HORROR

Though there are cities, when we think of Appalachian horror, we think about the rural, the mountain wilderness, and the forests – which is not only a perfect setting for horror from folk to gothic to creature feature and, sigh, yes, cannibalistic, it’s also a perfect breeding ground for horror writers and directors, so we want to share our favorite horror that’s set in or made by Appalachians. Check out the list on Letterboxd.

TRAILERVILLE

RIYL: THE EVIL DEAD (1981)

Did you know the infamous cabin scenes were filmed at a real cabin located in the Appalachians of Tennessee? If you love The Evil Dead, check out these films! See the list on Letterboxd.

MACABRE DAILY: WEEKLY UPDATES

💀 TABOO TERROR: The Epidemic of Erotica & Crossing Over in “RABID” (1977) (READ)

💀 "OBSESSION" (2025) Is A Punishing And Poignant Examination Of Wish Fulfillment (REVIEW)

💀 Director Aron Rudner-Stokell And Actor Harriet Bridgwater Vamp On Their Horror Short, "FEAST" (INTERVIEW)

💀 "HELLMARE" (2026) Is An Unapologetically Awesome Piece Of Independent Horror (REVIEW)

RECOMMENDED READING

Candi Norwood | Bluesky | Instagram | Letterboxd | StoryGraph | Website

If you read my intro, you know I’m Appalachian, I love Appalachian horror, so let’s get into it.

Some recommended reading:

The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher- Mouse’s evil grandmother dies, and she and her dog Bongo travel to North Carolina to clean out her hoarded house. Even though things are ominous right away, she doesn’t realize she’s in a horror novel, so Mouse goes into the woods where she sees even creepier things like a bunch of effigies and still keeps staying there. She ends up following Bongo into the woods to a dark magical realm where she finds people who have been trapped and tries to help them escape. Kingfisher’s language is very descriptive and really amps up the creep factor. Plus there’s an effigy made of doll parts. {{shudder}}

Sineater by Elizabeth Massie- A sin-eater is someone who performs a ritual by eating a meal passed over a recently dead person and symbolically absorbs that person’s sin (so they can go to heaven, pretty convenient for everybody but the sin-eater). I’ve seen this used pretty effectively in horror, especially using the concept of the sins growing within the sin-eater and how that could play out in dark ways. But Elizabeth Massie’s book is less about the sin-eater himself, although his presence is consistently felt, it’s more about his family, how it impacts his wife and three children. He doesn’t really live day to day with them so he’s as mythical to them as he is to the rest of the town. His oldest son has the burden of knowing he will have to take over when his father dies, and his youngest son seems to be hardest hit by how they are ostracized by the town, especially when his only friend moves away. This is a folk and gothic horror masterpiece, and I’m amazed more people haven’t read it.

A Hodgepodge of Horror by Tony Evans- Tony Evans has a few collections and several books, and most, if not all, are Appalachian horror. Tony is from eastern Kentucky, and his writing reads like you’re sitting with him on the front porch listening to him tell you a story. His characters feel like people you grew up with (or at least the people I grew up with), and a lot of his writing leans towards the folk horror. I’m recommending this one because I think it’s his most recent, but you can’t go wrong with any of them.

Hellboy: The Crooked Man by Mike Mignola- What if Hellboy went to Appalachia and landed smack in the middle of a folk horror situation?

MEET THE HORRORVERSE TEAM