BlumFest 2026 Unveils Expanded Horror Slate at New York Comic Con, Featuring New Exorcist Film, RoboCop Series, and Additional Projects

BlumFest’s Friday night panel at New York Comic Con 2026 highlighted a robust lineup of upcoming horror titles. Craig Zobel was announced as the director for the adaptation of James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera’s Something is Killing the Children, while the first trailer for The Exorcist: Martyrs debuted. Additional projects teased included Seasons, a new RoboCop series for Amazon Prime, Molepeople, Anything but Ghosts, and more.

The two‑hour panel featured a star‑studded roster: Mike Flanagan, James Wan, Chiwetel Ejiofor, David Harbour, LaKeith Stanfield, Curry Barker, and Kristen Bell, among others. Midway through, Jason Blum revealed the 2027 release schedule—River (Jan. 15), The Revenge of Llorona (Feb. 26), The Exorcist: Martyrs, Anything but Ghosts (May 7), Paranormal Activity (May 21), The Blair Witch Project (Sept. 24), Sleepover and Seasons (Nov. 12), plus an untitled film slated for August 2027.

Producer and Blumhouse co‑founder Jason Blum emphasized the studio’s commitment to diverse horror storytelling. “It’s been an incredible year, and what’s so cool about the movies you listed is how different they all are,” he said. “We want to work with filmmakers who never stop surprising you.” He also hinted at future ventures that embrace risk and originality.

Earlier, IDW Dark and Blumhouse announced a Happy Death Day comic series, written by Tim Seeley, to expand the franchise ahead of a third film.

Anything But Ghosts

Directed by Curry Barker and co‑starring Barker and Cooper Tomlinson, Anything but Ghosts follows two con artists who pose as ghost hunters for a high‑stakes job. When the case turns out to involve a genuine spirit, they must deliver on their promises. The film is designed to subvert classic horror tropes, using audience expectations as a narrative tool.

Amanda the Adventurer

A new partnership with YouTube creator Matthew “MatPat” Patrick will bring indie game adaptations to the screen. The first project, a feature based on DreadXP’s Amanda the Adventurer, blends an animated‑style narrative with unsettling interstitials. Patrick described the deal as “giving them the spotlight they deserve.”

Molepeople & Seasons

Rob Savage’s subterranean horror Molepeople stars Lakeith Stanfield and draws inspiration from classic films like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. James Wan’s RoboCop series, starring Dan Stevens, is in development for Amazon Prime. Additionally, Drew Hancock’s Seasons, based on the “No Sleep” subreddit story, was teased in a video featuring Ron Perlman.

Saw Sequel

James Wan confirmed a new entry in the Saw franchise, helmed by director Mike P. Nelson. The project will emphasize the series’ signature twists and moral dilemmas, building on Nelson’s reputation for surprise‑driven storytelling.

Something Is Killing the Children

Creators James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera, along with director Craig Zobel, discussed the upcoming adaptation. The story follows Erica Slaughter, a “powerful badass” who can “lift axes and dismember 15‑foot monsters,” and includes on‑screen deaths of children, staying true to the source material’s intensity. The panel highlighted the franchise’s global reach, now exceeding five million readers.

Violent Night 2

David Harbour and Kristen Bell returned as Santa and Mrs. Klaus in Violent Night 2, directed by Tommy Wirkola. The sequel expands Santa’s mythology with new tattoos and backstory, featuring a violent bakery showdown and a rescuing Mrs. Klaus. Bell noted extensive stunt training, while Harbour likened the film to a “bloody hammer” version of Miracle on 34th Street.

The Exorcist: Martyrs

Mike Flanagan and Chiwetel Ejiofor introduced the first trailer for The Exorcist: Martyrs, set for release on March 12. Flanagan described the film as “so god damn scary” and emphasized its departure from prior entries, aiming to recapture the original franchise’s terror.

River

Jessica Rothe stars in the river‑based thriller River, co‑featuring Jane Levy, Max Mattern, and Dane DiLiegro. Rothe shared that 14 of the 22 shooting days were spent on water, adding authenticity to the film’s suspenseful scenes.

New Short Film Deal with Heidi Wong

Blumhouse Atomic Monster signed multimedia horror creator Heidi Wong, known as “The Horror Queen,” for a new short film development deal. The short, inspired by Eastern mythology and folklore, may expand into a feature film. Wong’s butterfly dress and social‑media clues hint at the project’s themes.

Source link