Two of horror’s biggest franchises are clawing their way back to theaters within two months of each other in 2027, setting up a battle for scare-seeking audiences next spring.
**At a Glance
- The Exorcist reboot lands March 13, 2027, written and directed by Mike Flanagan
- Paranormal Activity 8 follows on May 21, 2027, with first-time feature director Ian Tuason
- Both films share producers Jason Blum and James Wan via Blumhouse-Atomic Monster
- Why it matters: Horror fans get two major franchise revivals in one season, signaling studios’ renewed faith in theatrical scares
Universal locked in March 13, 2027 for its untitled Exorcist film, marking the first return of the demon-fighting saga since 2023’s poorly received The Exorcist: Believer. Flanagan-known for Netflix’s Midnight Mass and The Haunting of Hill House-will write and direct. Scarlett Johansson and Jacobi Jupe headline the cast, though plot details remain under wraps. Studio marketing calls the project a “radical new take” that stays within the continuity of the 1973 original and Believer without continuing that film’s abandoned trilogy storyline.
Paramount counter-programs with May 21, 2027 for the eighth Paranormal Activity installment, the first since 2021. The studio only recently tapped Ian Tuason to direct; his debut feature Undertone, a podcast-inspired horror experiment, releases this March. No cast, title, or story hints have been revealed.
Production Powerhouse Link
Despite separate studios, both revivals share a production bridge:
- Jason Blum (Blumhouse)
- James Wan (Atomic Monster)
The duo are producing both films under their recently merged banner, consolidating two legacy horror brands under one creative umbrella.
Franchise Timeline
| Film | Release | Status |
|---|---|---|
| The Exorcist (1973) | Classic | Canon |
| The Exorcist: Believer (2023) | Trilogy-starter failed | Canon |
| Untitled Flanagan film | March 13, 2027 | Canon continuation |
| Paranormal Activity (2007) | Found-footage hit | Canon |
| Paranormal Activity 7 (2021) | Streaming pivot | Canon |
| Paranormal Activity 8 | May 21, 2027 | TBD |
Studio Strategy
Universal’s Friday the 13th date targets superstitious moviegoers, echoing the original’s religious terror themes. Paramount’s late-May slot positions Paranormal as counter-programming to early summer blockbusters, a slot that previously served the franchise well during its annual October runs.
Key Takeaways
- Two legacy horror brands return within 68 days of each other
- Shared producers suggest coordinated marketing potential
- Both projects remain largely mysterious, fueling fan speculation
- Theatrical-only releases buck recent streaming-first horror trends
