Audio
Shorts
Movies & Games
Blog & Stories
BlumFest 2026 has delivered a fresh wave of horror announcements. At New York Comic Con, Blumhouse and Atomic Monster presented upcoming projects spanning demonic horror, supernatural franchises, video-game adaptations, and unsettling stories born online. One of the biggest highlights was the first trailer for The Exorcist: Martyrs, Mike Flanagan’s new chapter in the legendary horror franchise.
The presentation also brought updates on a new Saw movie, another Paranormal Activity film, and several original projects that could become major talking points for horror fans in the coming months.
Here is everything horror fans should know about BlumFest 2026, including the biggest announcements, the filmmakers involved, and what to watch for next.
1. The Exorcist: Martyrs — Mike Flanagan Reveals the First Trailer
The biggest headline from BlumFest 2026 is The Exorcist: Martyrs, a new film directed and written by Mike Flanagan.
The film stars Scarlett Johansson as Julie Miller, a New York City detective investigating a disturbing murder involving an altar boy. The case becomes connected to a terrifying history involving a satanic serial killer known as Father Sunday.
Thirteen years after Miller helped bring that killer down, a new crime scene appears to point directly at her. A message written in blood raises a frightening question: is the investigation dealing with an ordinary human killer, or something far more sinister?
Chiwetel Ejiofor also stars, alongside Laurence Fishburne. The story blends a criminal investigation with religious horror, giving Flanagan an opportunity to explore demonic forces through a different perspective from previous Exorcist films.
Rather than simply remake the original classic, Flanagan has described his approach as a new story intended to complement the franchise. That distinction will be important for viewers who remain protective of William Friedkin’s 1973 original.
Why it matters: Flanagan has built a following through projects such as The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass, and Doctor Sleep. His involvement makes The Exorcist: Martyrs one of the most closely watched upcoming horror releases.
Release date: March 12, 2027, in US theaters.
2. A New Saw Movie Is in Development
BlumFest also brought news of another Saw film, with James Wan involved as a producer.
The announcement is significant because the franchise remains one of modern horror’s most recognizable names. Since the original 2004 film, Saw has built its identity around elaborate traps, moral dilemmas, psychological manipulation, and the legacy of John Kramer, better known as Jigsaw.
At the time of the BlumFest announcement, the new film’s full story details and complete cast information had not been established publicly. Fans should therefore treat speculation about its victims, traps, timeline, or returning characters as unconfirmed until the studio releases further details.
The new project could provide another opportunity to revisit the franchise’s central question: how far will people go when forced to confront their choices under extreme pressure?
What fans should watch for: Official casting announcements, the film’s place in the existing timeline, and whether the next installment continues the franchise’s familiar trap-based formula or takes a different approach.
3. Paranormal Activity Is Returning
Another major franchise announcement involved a new Paranormal Activity movie.
The original 2007 film helped popularize low-budget found-footage horror by presenting supernatural events through apparently ordinary home-video recordings. Its quiet rooms, unexplained noises, and escalating disturbances demonstrated how a small-scale story could create enormous tension without constantly showing its monster.
The franchise subsequently expanded through sequels and spin-offs, exploring different families, locations, and supernatural connections.
A new installment offers the opportunity to bring that intimate style of horror to a new audience while retaining the central appeal of the series: the fear that something may be watching from just outside the camera’s view.
However, a title, complete cast, plot synopsis, and confirmed release date should not be assumed until official details become available.
Why it matters: Found footage continues to attract horror audiences because it can make familiar places feel frightening. A new Paranormal Activity film could become one of the franchise’s most closely watched upcoming projects.
4. Blair Witch Is Back on the Horror Radar
BlumFest reporting also highlighted a new Blair Witch reboot project.
The original The Blair Witch Project became a landmark in independent horror, using documentary-style footage, unseen threats, and the fear of being lost in the woods to create an unusually convincing nightmare.
Its influence can still be seen in found-footage films that use limited visibility, uncertain evidence, and characters who cannot determine whether their experiences are supernatural or psychological.
A new reboot has the difficult task of finding a fresh direction while respecting the original film’s minimalist approach. Showing too much of the threat could weaken the uncertainty that made the original so effective.
Details about the reboot should be checked against official announcements as the project develops. Until then, fans should be cautious about treating rumored plot points or casting details as confirmed.
5. Amanda the Adventurer Is Heading Toward a Movie Adaptation
One of the more unusual announcements was a planned film adaptation of the indie horror game Amanda the Adventurer, developed in collaboration with online creator MatPat.
The game transforms the familiar look of a children’s television program into something deeply unsettling. Players explore old tapes featuring Amanda, a cartoon character whose cheerful presentation gradually gives way to disturbing interactions and sinister secrets.
Its appeal comes from the contrast between colourful children’s entertainment and the disturbing mystery underneath it. The game also encourages players to question what they are seeing, making the format particularly suited to horror storytelling.
A movie adaptation could expand the story beyond the game’s puzzles and recordings while retaining its central tension between innocence and menace.
For horror fans who enjoy analog horror, cursed media, and stories about seemingly harmless entertainment hiding something sinister, this is one project worth watching.
What remains to be confirmed: Further details about the screenplay, cast, production schedule, and release date.
6. Seasons: A Film Based on a Viral Reddit Horror Story
BlumFest also introduced Seasons, a film adaptation of the viral Reddit horror story My Wife and I Bought a Ranch.
The project features a notable cast that includes Ron Perlman and Lily James. Its origins connect it to a wider trend in horror: stories that first attract audiences through online communities before moving into film and television.
Internet horror can be especially effective because it often begins with a familiar situation—a house, a relationship, a strange neighbour, or an unexplained event—and gradually introduces details that make the ordinary feel dangerous.
Adapting a story that already has an online following creates both an opportunity and a challenge. The film needs to preserve the original’s unsettling premise while building a cinematic experience that works for viewers who have never encountered the source material.
For GHorror readers, Seasons is worth following as part of the growing relationship between online horror fiction and mainstream genre filmmaking.
7. Molepeople Brings Lakeith Stanfield Into the Upcoming Horror Slate
Another project highlighted around BlumFest is Molepeople, starring Lakeith Stanfield.
The announcement adds another original title to a slate that includes established franchises as well as adaptations of internet and gaming phenomena.
At this stage, audiences should wait for an official synopsis and additional production details before drawing conclusions about the film’s story, creature design, or precise subgenre.
The title alone suggests a concept that could lend itself to underground horror, claustrophobic settings, or strange creatures, but those possibilities are speculation rather than confirmed plot information.
For now, the cast and the project’s place in Blumhouse’s expanding horror lineup are the main reasons to keep it on the radar.
8. Something Is Killing the Children Gets a Film Adaptation
BlumFest reporting also highlighted a planned adaptation of the comic series Something Is Killing the Children, with Craig Zobel attached to direct.
Created by James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera, the comic follows Erica Slaughter, a mysterious monster hunter who arrives in a town where children are disappearing and terrifying creatures are said to be responsible.
The property combines creature horror, mystery, and dark fantasy with an unsettling premise centred on the dangers adults struggle to understand or even believe.
A film adaptation could appeal to audiences who enjoy stories about hidden monsters, isolated communities, and a protagonist who understands a threat that everyone else dismisses.
The comic already has a distinctive identity, so the adaptation will need to balance its source material with the pacing and atmosphere of a feature film.
9. Anything But Ghosts: A New Horror-Comedy Project
The creators associated with Obsession also introduced Anything But Ghosts, a new horror-comedy project.
The announcement points to the continued interest in stories that combine disturbing supernatural ideas with humour. When the balance works, horror-comedy can deliver genuine scares while making the audience uncomfortable in unexpected ways.
At the time of the announcement, detailed plot information and a full production schedule were still limited. The project’s premise, cast, and release plans should be updated when more reliable details become available.
Why BlumFest 2026 Matters for Horror Fans
The most interesting aspect of BlumFest 2026 is the range of projects on display.
Established franchises such as The Exorcist, Saw, Paranormal Activity, and Blair Witch are being developed alongside adaptations of video games, comics, and online horror stories. That combination reflects how horror audiences discover new ideas today: through cinema, streaming, games, social media, and online communities.
For fans, it also means the next few years could offer very different experiences. Some projects will build on familiar supernatural mythology, while others will introduce new characters and concepts.
Of course, an announcement is only the first step. The strength of the final film will depend on its writing, direction, performances, and ability to create an atmosphere that stays with viewers after the credits.
Final Verdict: Which BlumFest Announcement Has the Most Potential?
For now, The Exorcist: Martyrs is the standout announcement, thanks to Mike Flanagan’s involvement, Scarlett Johansson’s lead performance, and its mix of detective fiction and demonic horror.
The new Saw and Paranormal Activity projects will also attract attention because both franchises have established audiences. Meanwhile, Amanda the Adventurer, Seasons, and Something Is Killing the Children show how horror creators are looking beyond traditional movie franchises for new stories.
The next step is to watch for official trailers, casting news, production updates, and confirmed release dates.
Which BlumFest 2026 announcement are you most excited about? Is it The Exorcist: Martyrs, the new Saw movie, the return of Paranormal Activity, or one of the original projects? Share your choice in the comments.
Keep following GHorror for upcoming horror movie news, trailers, release dates, and updates from across the genre.
