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Better Late Than Never: 10 Franchises That Returned After a Long Hiatus

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In honor of the October 28th release of Jigsaw – the highly anticipated return of the Saw franchise after seven years of dormancy – iHorror has decided to take a quick look at some other horror franchises that came back to life after a long period of inactivity.

The 10 resurrections listed below range from the successful to the abysmal, and are listed in order of shortest gap in time to longest. It should be noted that we’re only counting franchises that returned with a sequel or prequel to the previous film, not a remake or reboot that overwrote the existing continuity. Let’s get started.

Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) to Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)

After the critical and commercial failure of the Myers-less Halloween III – horror fans love it now, but audiences then despised it – it took six years for Michael to return and reignite his stalled franchise. There was another six year gap between 1989’s terrible Halloween 5, and 1995’s also pretty terrible Halloween 6.

Saw VII: The Final Chapter (2010) to Jigsaw (2017)

The inspiration for this piece, next weekend will see Jigsaw’s twisted game return to theaters, just in time for Halloween. After a long period where a new Saw entry was released every single year, it’s now been seven since fans got another addition to Jigsaw’s complex puzzle. Here’s hoping it’s worth the long wait.

Jason Goes to Hell (1993) to Jason X (2002)

After New Line Cinema acquired Jason in the early 90s, the first thing they did was try and kill him off. Jason’s trip to hell stuck for awhile, with it taking nine long years for Mrs. Voorhees’ baby boy to return for more bloodshed in the super fun future-set sequel Jason X. The world needs more Uber Jason.

Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994) to Freddy vs. Jason (2003)

After meta sequel New Nightmare masterfully brought creator Wes Craven’s journey through the Elm Street series to a close, it took nine long years for Robert Englund to get back under the Freddy make-up in order to beat the crap out of Jason. Sadly, this marked the end of Englund’s tenure as the Springwood Slasher.

Seed of Chucky (2004) to Curse of Chucky (2013)

It’s fair to say that most Chucky fans were unimpressed by 2004’s ridiculously silly Seed, which served as franchise creator Don Mancini’s directorial debut. Yet, nine years later, Mancini returned to helm Curse, which took Chucky back to his sadistic roots, and is in the opinion of some the best sequel in the series.

Omen III: The Final Conflict (1981) – Omen IV: The Awakening (1991)

Here’s a clear example of when a franchise resurrection wasn’t for the best. The Final Conflict wrapped up the original Omen trilogy nicely, and featured a brilliant performance from a young Sam Neill as Damien. Ten years later, the made for TV Omen IV featured Lifetime movie level acting and scares.

Scream 3 (2000) to Scream 4 (2011)

After an 11 year hiatus, late horror master Wes Craven came back to try and revive the Scream series for a new generation of young moviegoers. Scream 4 came and went from theaters without much fanfare, although it definitely has its fans, and it’s nice to see Sidney, Dewey, and Gale back together again.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)

After grindhouse classic The Texas Chainsaw Massacre put director Tobe Hooper on the map, it took him a whopping 12 years to return to the world of the cannibalistic Sawyer clan. Audiences at the time weren’t exactly thrilled by how comedic TCM2 ended up being, but the sequel’s stock has increased since then.

Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977) to The Exorcist III (1990)

Exorcist II’s reputation as being perhaps the worst sequel in horror history precedes it, and while there might actually be worse sequels, it’s hard to think of a bigger drop in quality from a first film to a second. Thankfully, The Exorcist III would arrive 13 years later to prove that not all Exorcist sequels have to suck.

Day of the Dead (1985) to Land of the Dead (2005)

Unlike most series, long delays between entries in the legendary George Romero’s Dead franchise were the exception instead of the rule. There was a 10 year gap between Night and Dawn, and then a 7 year gap between Dawn and Day. The longest period of inactivity occurred between Day and Land, which came out a whole 20 years apart. Fueled by the success of Zack Snyder’s 2004 remake of Dawn, Land saw Universal give Romero more money to work with than he would ever have before or since.

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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