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Spirit Halloween has already previewed a handful of new animatronics that they’ll be releasing this spooky season, including Terrifier 3‘s Art the Clown and demon Valak from The Nun.

What else is coming from Spirit Halloween this year? The company has just announced a brand new animatronic from Trick ‘r Treat, which will be their second Sam animatronic!

This new one stands – or rather, sits – 3-feet, 4-inches tall, and it features Sam sitting on a bale of hay with a jack o’lantern in front of him and his trusty candy bar blade in his hand.

Spirit previews, “From Michael Dougherty’s classic Halloween film, Trick ‘r Treat, comes Sam, the Spirit of Halloween who enforces the holiday’s ancient traditions.

“To the untrained eye, Sam might look like just another kid out trick or treating, but what’s hidden beneath his eerie costume is anything but sweet.

It may seem hot and summery, but it’s now less than 100 days until Halloween, and Arrow Video is ushering in the season with a formidable slate of genre releases. October’s drop features a high-concept comic book adaptation, a punk-fuelled zombie cult hit, two trailblazing Asian horror anthologies, an apocalyptic Carpenter classic and a ferocious revenge thriller from the heart of 1980s New York.

Leading the pack is Spawn, newly restored in 4K and arriving in Limited Edition Uhd and Blu-ray formats. The 1997 adaptation of Todd McFarlane’s comic book casts Michael Jai White as a betrayed Black Ops assassin reborn as a hell-bound antihero. Directed by Mark A.Z. Dippé and produced by the teams behind Blade and The Crow, Spawn returns with both its Theatrical and Director’s Cuts, alongside new interviews, featurettes and collector’s packaging.

Dan O’Bannon’s cult classic The Return of the Living Dead also receives the 4K treatment.

It’s never too early to get into the festive spirit, as a Christmas-themed horror movie has found recent success on Netflix. While it’s not the most obvious pairing, holiday-centric horrors, like Black Christmas and Gremlins,have been entertaining viewers with their genre-bending appeal for decades as they combine festive wonder with terrifying thrills.

Krampus is a particularly intriguing comedy horror inspired by the folklore figure of the same name, who is said to reward well-behaved children and punish the naughty in the lead-up to the holiday season. As a box office hit that was bursting with B-movie appeal, this Michael Dougherty-directed film has surprisingly gifted audiences with some holiday fear this July.

Krampus Is A Top 10 Hit On Netflix This 2015 Christmas Horror Did Well At The Box Office

Recent streaming figures have revealed Krampus as a top 10 hit on the Netflix streaming charts, proving that it doesn...

In a historic indigenous-coordinated initiative, the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre has entered into a collaboration with Colossal Biosciences, a Texas-based genetic engineering and de-extinction company, and acclaimed The Lord of the Rings director Sir Peter Jackson, to work together to resurrect the extinct South Island Giant Moa.

This comes after Colossal successfully brought back the dire wolf, and we recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jackson, Ben Lamm, Colossal CEO and co-founder, and Kyle Davis, a Ngāi Tahu archaeologist.

To bring you up to speed, the moa were flightless birds endemic to New Zealand that went extinct approximately 600 years ago, approximately two centuries after Polynesian settlement. These remarkable birds, which consisted of nine distinct species, ranged from turkey-sized species to the South Island Giant Moa (Dinornis robustus), which stood up to 3.6 meters tall.

As large herbivores, moa played crucial ecological roles in New Zealand's forests and grasslands for millions of years.

On June 28, 2006, Warner Bros. brought back Superman, this time with X-Men director Bryan Singer at the helm of the franchise and Brandon Routh as the Man of Steel. The film, Superman Returns, collected $391 million at the global box office but didn’t a sequel and DC went in a new direction after the title’s release. The Hollywood Reporter’s original review is below

The Superman who returns in Superman Returns is a different Man of Steel than we are used to seeing. In Superman: The Movie, the film by director Richard Donner in 1978, the late Christopher Reeve rescued the iconic superhero from high camp with the sincerity and warmth of his acting. His Superman was a romantic charmer. Director Bryan Singer positions this new film as a sequel to Donner’s film, and his Superman — played with winning fortitude by newcomer Brandon Routh — is less a Man of Steel than a Man of Heart.

An 82-year-old has died from severe injuries she suffered during a firebomb attack in Boulder, Colorado, on a demonstration calling for the release of Israeli hostages still in Gaza.

The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the death of Karen Diamond on Monday, June 30. They also announced, because of Diamond’s death, they would be filing additional charges against the suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, including first-degree murder.

“This horrific attack has now claimed the life of an innocent person who was beloved by her family and friends,” said Da Michael Dougherty.

Suspected Colorado terrorist Mohamed Soliman told authorities that he harbored no remorse for his attack.

The incident occurred on June 2 when Soliman, 45, tossed two Molotov cocktails at a peaceful pro-Israel march in Boulder, injuring a dozen people. At least two were airlifted to Aurora for treatment.

Soliman told investigators he wanted to “kill all Zionist people” and had “researched on YouTube how to make Molotov Cocktails, purchased the ingredients to do so, and constructed them” in preparation for the attack. Court documents detailed that Soliman “had to use Molotov cocktails [for the attack] after he was denied the purchase of a gun due to him not being a legal citizen.”

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At the time of his arrest, Soliman reportedly had 16 unused Molotov cocktails ready to be hurled at the crowd. Police said in an affidavit that Soliman hadn’t thrown all 18 Molotov cocktails because “he got...

Every Top Millie Bobby Brown’s Movie & TV Show Ranked! (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Millie Bobby Brown is one of the most talented, hardworking, and successful actresses of this generation and has garnered quite a few accolades. Even though she started as a child actress, Millie gained massive popularity after featuring in the smash-hit Netflix series, Stranger Things. She beautifully transitioned into a lead actress and even appeared in film series like Enola Holmes, earning much appreciation.

Millie is now a married 21-year-old. She tied the knot with rock band legend Jon Bongiovi’s son, Jake Bongiovi, in 2024. Ever since they started dating, the duo has been serving couple goals. She is also an executive producer, owns a beauty and fashion brand, Florence by Mills, takes care of her farm, and does many things that no one can imagine at her age. But most importantly, she is known for her fantastic acting skills.

The man suspected of using a “makeshift flamethrower” and throwing Molotov cocktails that burned multiple victims at the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday has been charged with a federal hate crime.

The suspect, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, is accused of throwing “an incendiary device” into the crowd gathered at the popular outdoor mall, Mark Michalek, the special agent in charge of the Denver field office, said at a Sunday evening press conference. The FBI called the incident “an act of terrorism.”

On Monday, Soliman was charged with a federal hate crime,...

Eight people were injured and some burned at an outdoor mall in Boulder, Colorado, authorities said on Sunday. A man was taken into custody in the attack at 13th and Pearl Street, a popular pedestrian mall downtown, police said. FBI agents are also investigating what the agency has described as a “targeted terror attack.” A male suspect, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, is in custody at Boulder County jail.

All eight victims, ranging in age from 52 to 88, were transported to hospitals where they remain after the suspect threw “an incendiary device” into the crowd,...

Bottleneck Gallery will release Trick ‘r Treat prints by Creepy Duck Design tomorrow, April 25, at 12pm Et.

The 24×36 fine art giclee print is a hand-numbered edition of 150 for $60.

Two lenticular versions with flip effect will also be up for grabs: a 16×20 poster on 1mm Pet, limited to 100 for $80, and 24×36 poster on 4mm Polystyrene, limited to 25 for $200.

“Trick ‘r Treat is one of our favorite modern, Halloween anthologies. Weaving three short stories into an overarching narrative, Trick ‘r Treat is smart, creepy, and hauntingly creative, just like Creepy Duck’s newest print for the horror cult hit,” Bottleneck writes.

“Creepy Duck’s newest print is centered around everybody’s favorite little rapscallion, Sam, and his frighteningly cute and demonic visage. Halloween may still be a ways away, but artists like Creepy Duck make the wait bearable.”

The 2007 horror anthology features interconnecting tales of terror set on Halloween night, when demons and...

Another blast from the past for horror movie fans is making a comeback. Urban Legend, a slasher movie franchise that began with the original film released in 1998, is now set to get the reboot treatment.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, an Urban Legend reboot is now in early development. The film will be produced by Coin Operated's Gary Dauberman, a producer and writer on the new horror film Until Dawn, which hits theaters this weekend. Shanrah Wakefield will write the screenplay for the Urban Legend reboot with original Urban Legend producer Neal Moritz in talks to serve as a producer on the new film. A director hasn't yet been named, and no cast members are attached.

As it stands, no plot details have been divulged about the new take on Urban Legend. Reportedly, the story will be an "examination of what an urban legend looks like in a post-digital world,...

What do genetic engineering, Hollywood and animal conservation have in common? Look no further than the Colossal Biosciences company, which lit up the internet in early April with its claim that it had brought the dire wolf back from extinction — nearly 10,000 years after the massive prehistoric canine panted its last breath. While a debate has since raged over whether Colossal’s fluffy white beasts legitimately are dire wolves or whether they are simply gray wolves that have been genetically edited to approximate the real thing, one thing has been clear: Colossal, co-founded by tech entrepreneur Ben Lamm and Harvard geneticist George Church, pulled off a hell of a show — with Hollywood’s help.

To roll out the announcement of its purported dire wolf — an animal made famous on the hit show Game of Thrones — the company photographed two of the pups, Romulus and Remus, on the actual Iron Throne prop...

The MonsterVerse franchise has so far grossed over $2.5 billion at the worldwide box office since launching with Gareth Edwards' Godzilla in 2014. Jordan Vogt-Roberts took charge of Kong: Skull Island before Michael Dougherty expanded the Monsterverse with Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

We finally got a full-blown crossover in Adam Wingard's Godzilla vs. Kong. The filmmaker returned for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire but won't be back for the next chapter; instead, that will be helmed by I Am Mother director Grant Sputore.

The MonsterVerse has always been the subject of leaks and the latest, shared by High on Cinema (via SFFGazette.com), claims to spell out pretty much the entire plot of the Godzilla x Kong sequel.

What are the biggest reveals? Well, Godzilla looks set to take a villainous turn (again), we're getting "zombie" Titans and, as expected, more Mothra after her surprise appearance in The New Empire.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes scored the top honor, outstanding visual effects in a photoreal feature, at the 2025 Visual Effects Society Awards.

Dune: Part Two led the winners list with four wins in the feature categories, while The Wild Robot was named top animated film with four wins as well. Shogun won best photoreal episode, winning three awards. The Penguin also won three awards.

The Ves Awards recognizes “outstanding visual effects artistry and innovation in film, animation, television, commercials, video games and special venues,” according to the organization. This year, comedy duo The Sklar Brothers made their debut as the hosts of the show, while Keanu Reeves presented the Ves Award for Creative Excellence to Shogun actor-producer Hiroyuki Sanada.

Computer graphics researcher Paul Debevec presented VR/Immersive Technology pioneer Dr. Jacquelin Ford Morie with the Georges Melies Award, while Michael Dougherty presented VFX supervisor Takashi Yamazaki with the Visionary Award.

Beauty and the Beast and Legion star Dan Stevens first boarded the Monsterverse in Legendary Pictures' Godzilla vs. Kong sequel, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. 

The British actor played Trapper in the 2024 blockbuster, serving as a dentist and veterinarian to the monsters. He quickly became a firm fan-favourite and now, The Hollywood Reporter (via SFFGazette.com) reveals that Stevens is in talks to reprise this role in Grant Sputore's (I Am Mother) unnamed follow-up to The New Empire. 

Booksmart and The Last of Us star Kaitlyn Dever was the first human addition to the cast. More are expected to follow. 

Gareth Edwards helmed 2014's Godzilla, with Jordan Vogt-Roberts taking charge of Kong: Skull Island. Later, Michael Dougherty expanded the Monsterverse with Godzilla: King of the Monsters before we got a full-blown crossover in Adam Wingard's Godzilla vs. Kong. He returned for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire...

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire's Dan Stevens is on track to return to Legendary Pictures' MonsterVerse.

Per Deadline, Stevens is currently in talks to return to the iconic role of Trapper in the next MonsterVerse film. The currently untitled project is slated to introduce No One Will Save You star Kaitlyn Dever in a leading role, and will be directed by Grant Sputore from a script written by Dave Callaham.

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Legendary Pictures' MonsterVerse began with 2014's Godzilla directed by Gareth Edwards. It was expanded with 2017's Kong: Skull Island from director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, which was followed up by director Michael Dougherty's Godzilla: King of the Monsters two years later. In 2021, director Adam Wingard...

Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla provides a reminder that King Caesar is one of the most important kaiju still missing from Legendary's Monsterverse. Remembered for his unique, martial arts-inspired fighting style and dog-like appearance, King Caesar is counted among the many monsters to act as allies of Godzilla. The creature shared a memorable team-up with the King of the Monsters when the two worked together to oppose Mechagodzilla. Both King Caesar and Godzilla's robotic counterpart debuted together in 1974's Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla.

King Caesar served as co-protagonist to Godzilla in the film. But unfortunately, to this day, it remains the monster's most significant contribution to Godzilla lore. King Caesar's only other appearance in a Godzilla movie didn't come until Godzilla: Final Wars in 2004, and even that was little more than a cameo. This has kept King Caesar from becoming a major figure in the franchise, but in spite of his overall absence from Godzilla's stories,...

Writer/director Michael Dougherty rose up through the Hollywood ranks authoring the scripts for multiple major blockbusters. He co-wrote the screenplay to "X2: X-Men United" and "Superman Returns" (both of which were directed by the now-disgraced Bryan Singer), and proved his horror chops with "Urban Legends: Bloody Mary," a straight-to-video threequel to the oh-yeah-i-remember-that slasher franchise from the late 1990s. Dougherty's directorial debut, the horror anthology "Trick 'r Treat," saw a slow release in 2007, but became a Halloween standard almost immediately thereafter. The man knows how to terrify audiences. His most recent film was the big-budget monster movie "Godzilla: King of the Monsters," the third film in the U.S. MonsterVerse series.

Dougherty's best film, however, came in 2015 when he made "Krampus," a Christmas horror film that's just as much a holiday standard as "Trick 'r Treat," only for Christmas. It features one of the coolest, scariest monsters of...

Although superhero serials and TV shows had been around for decades prior, Richard Donner’s 1978 version of Superman marked the first major, studio-funded DC feature film in Hollywood. The film’s commercial and critical success led to Richard Lester’s acclaimed follow-up, Superman II, solidifying the late great Christopher Reeve as a cinematic symbol of truth, justice, and hope. Over 25 years later, the events of the ridiculous follow-ups, Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest For Peace, were bypassed by Bryan Singer to accommodate Superman Returns, arguably ranking among the finest cinematic showcases for Clark Kent to prove his protective might. Sure, the movie isn’t as fun-filled or enjoyable as a children’s superhero outing should be, but, as far as restoring the luster into Superman’s cape and proving the comic book hero’s box office viability, Superman Returns did its job. At least, that’s how most critics and general moviegoers felt.

‘Tis the season to watch holiday-themed horror, so we here at Arrow in the Head have decided to compile a list of the Best Christmas Horror Movies! All of the films below are, at the very least, set around Christmastime, and some of them take the connection to the holidays further than that. Here are the top 12 horror movies that we recommend checking out over the next week:

I Come In Peace (1990)

It’s easy to forget that I Come in Peace (a.k.a. Dark Angel) is set around the Christmas holiday, because Christmas is mostly just represented by some set decorations – and you’re distracted from those decorations by all the awesome stuff going on around them. Dolph Lundgren stars as Jack Caine, a Houston detective who doesn’t play by the rules. He’s stuck working with stuffy, suit-wearing FBI agent Larry Smith (Brian Benben), and these...

While wholesome Christmas movies tend to be the go-to choice for most looking to binge on good flicks during the holiday season, unconventional Christmas films have also become known to become favorites to break up the typical genre fare. There is no reason you can't watch Home Alone or Love Actually and then mix it up with a little Die Hard and Gremlins. Christmas horror movies have become some of the best of the unconventional bunch, with films such as Black Christmas and Silent Night, Deadly Night becoming annual viewing for fans. Since being released in 2015, the Christmas black comedy horror film Krampushas been added to that list, and it looks like it's seeing strides again on streaming as the holiday approaches.

Krampus is currently ranked at number six on Max's Top 10 films. In their current Top 10, the film finds itself ahead of Elf (ranked seventh) and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation...

Thanks to a comic book spin-off, the greatest possible sequel to Krampus is just waiting to be adapted into a feature film. Nearly a decade after the 2015 horror film was released, fans still look back on the original, wondering why nothing more came from the incredibly creative holiday film.

The 2015 film by Michael Dougherty focused on a small family whose Christmas spirit was long gone, causing them to be visited by Santa Claus' malevolent companion, Krampus. The movie was a hit among fans everywhere, but despite acclaim from fans and critics, as well as a decent box office showing, the film stands alone. However, there's another tale in the Krampus universe, and it would make for the perfect sequel.

Krampus: Shadow of Saint Nicholas Gives Fans the Greatest Follow-Up Three New Stories With Wicked Holiday Fun

Krampus: Shadow of Saint Nicholas is an anthology graphic novel that was released a week before Krampus hit theaters.

The last decade has been ripe with twists on the classic horror film genre. Most recently, this has taken the form of mascot horror, a subgenre that essentially turns what could be childhood delight into a source of terror. Popular mascot horror films from the past few years have included Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, Five Nights at Freddy's, and the upcoming films Bambi: The Reckoning and Peter Pan's Neverland Nightmare. While there are still plenty of conventional horror films being made, audiences are seeming to respond well to those that twist a typically jovial topic into something sinister.

In addition to mascot horror, another growingly popular trope is the Christmas horror film. This is exemplified in several recent films, such as Mean One, which combines mascot and holiday horror. 2024 saw the release of Terrifier 3, a threequel which put Art the Clown in a Christmas setting. Between these and films...

Fans will be pleased to learn that fiction's most famous kaiju, in his least commercially successful MonsterVerse movie appearance, will soon make landfall on a free streaming platform. 2019's Godzilla: King of Monsters will hit Tubi on January 1.

Directed and co-written by Michael Dougherty, the film is a direct sequel to 2014's Godzilla and is the third Monsterverse film, following 2017's Kong: Skull Island. In Godzilla: King of Monsters, eco-terrorists release the alien kaiju King Ghidorah, who awakens other monsters known as Titans. Godzilla and Mothra surface to battle Ghidorah and Rodan. The movie stars Kyle Chandler, Vera Farmiga, Millie Bobby Brown, Bradley Whitford, Sally Hawkins, Charles Dance, Thomas Middleditch, Aisha Hinds, O'Shea Jackson Jr., David Strathairn, Ken Watanabe, and Zhang Ziyi.

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Produced by Legendary Pictures and distributed by Warner Bros.,...

Christmas horror has become a subgenre unto itself, a refuge for those who love to inject a little Halloween revelry into their holiday festivities. It's home to one of the earliest slasher movies, iconic creature features like Gremlins, and just recently added the gorefest Terrifier 3 to its ranks. But one of the best, and least talked about, examples has to be 2015's Krampus, a film that strikes an ideal balance between its horror and Christmas movie elements.

Directed by Trick r' Treat's Michael Dougherty, the film was a modest financial success, earned decent reviews upon its release, and has developed a small cult following in the nine years since. But for those who've never seen it or haven't in a while, its critiques of rampant consumerism and ideological divides have only become more relevant in the almost-decade since its premiere. Movie fans looking for an antidote to all the warm and fuzzy Christmas classics,...

With the holiday season upon us, it's time for horror fans to break out their naughty list. Whether it's the hard-core holiday slasher era started in the 1970s with Black Christmas or the modern home invasion chillers like Better Watch Out, the horror genre is full of Christmas-themed gems. However, in our current horror comedy Renaissance, one of the kings of the festive genre has been Krampus. The 2015 Michael Dougherty film is turning a decade old next year. Now, ahead of its first major anniversary, Neca is starting the Christmas gatherings early with new frightful figures.

Red One has finally been released, and while the film has gotten a mixed reception from viewers, fans of Red One's Krampus need to check out this twisted modern Christmas classic next. Krampus has been the sole part of Red One that has been universally acclaimed, with the 2024 comedy's take on the classic character from holiday folklore being unique. The makeup, personality, and comedy of Red One's Krampus makes the villain one of the highlights of the film, and for fans looking for more Krampus, there is an even better place to look.

In Red One, Callum Drift and Jack O'Malley have to track down Santa Claus after he is kidnapped by an unknown antagonist. Thus, the duo decides to look in the most obvious place: the realm of Krampus. In the Red One universe, Krampus is the estranged brother of Santa Claus, with the duo having a...

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MonsterVerse is one of the most interesting cinematic universes out of all of them. The Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures-owned franchise has earned over $2.5 billion worldwide and also consists of TV shows on different streaming services but the way it all came together is a bit iffy because of the rights issues and the general laziness that we see in the some of the MonsterVerse films, but still Godzilla vs. Kong is still one of the most iconic movies for me. So, we thought of compiling every project that exists in the MonsterVerse and ranking them according to their Rotten Tomatoes score, here it is.

7. Godzilla: King of the Monsters (Max & Rent on Prime Video) Rotten Tomatoes Score: 42% Credit – Warner Bros.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is a monster sci-fi action adventure film directed by Michael Dougherty...

The horror genre keeps churning out great movies, such as the intoxicating Hugh Grant thriller Heretic. Part of its success is how it's able to produce movies that not only terrify audiences with gross-out scenes or a well-timed jump-scare, but also be a ton of fun. A great example of this is the Terrifier series, with Terrifier 3's funniest moments arriving among the requisite brutality and gore. Thanks mainly to Art the Clown's silent, but deadly, humor.

However, it's not just more recent horror films that have managed to be creepy as all hell, while bringing some solid fun along the way. Classic franchises have gained popularity thanks to quick-witted villains like Freddy Krueger, who is also incredibly creepy. The great thing about the horror genre is its ability to bring audiences together, to share an experience that'll be intense, and uncomfortable at times, but also a lot of fun.

The horror genre has expanded in the last few decades. The scary films are divided into different subgenres, including comedy horror, body horror, slashers, supernatural horror, and psychological horror, among others. In 2006, a New Zealand horror comedy put animals at the core of its terror.

Black Sheep, which follows a killer sheep, has since become a cult classic. Because of its ever-growing popularity and positive reviews, the film is moving forward with a sequel 18 years later, Deadline announced. The good side is that many people involved in the original will return to work on the sequel, as well.

Related Trick 'r Treat Director Shares Promising Update on Long-Gestating Sequel

Trick 'r Treat writer-director Michael Dougherty offers a promising update on the long-gestating sequel to the 2007 anthology horror film.

WTFilms announced the revival of the 2006 cult classic horror comedy about a flock of killer sheep, the result of genetic engineering. The...

What does a chainsaw massacre smell like? And does killer pumpkin boy Sam actually smell like a pumpkin? The company Xyrena has managed to conjure up the answer to both of those admittedly bizarre questions, adding both The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Trick ‘r Treat into their “Cinematic Scent Archive” with the release of two brand new fragrances.

First up, The Cinematic Scent Archive (CSA) by Xyrena proudly inducts The Texas Chain Saw Massacre—recently named #1 on Variety’s list of the “Top 100 Horror Movies of All Time”—into its groundbreaking collection to celebrate the film’s 50th anniversary. Known for creating the world’s first and only collection of officially licensed, niche-quality fragrances spanning decades, genres, and studios, Xyrena—the Austin-based fragrance house—has crafted a scent that embodies the raw, haunting essence of one of horror’s most influential films.

Released in 1974, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre transformed the horror landscape,...

Trick 'r Treat was once nothing more than a cult movie that only the most dedicated horror fans even knew existed. Now, it has become a cultural mainstay, especially in October. Go to any Spirit Halloween, and it's impossible not to find t-shirts, dolls, decorations, and other merchandise dedicated to the movie.

Even those who don't enjoy horror add the film to their spooky season watch lists. The anthology movie is brimming with fall vibes, and this interesting trivia only serves to enhance the viewing experience.

Trick 'r Treat is Based on an Animated Short Film Directed/Written By Michael Dougherty

Name

Season's Greetings

Release Year

1996

Bonus Fun Fact

The 3-minute hand-drawn short took nine months to complete.

Sam is a cute sack-masked character who makes everyone follow the rules of Halloween. He is at the heart of Trick 'r Treat, appearing at first as a little boy wanting candy,...

Since being released in 2009, Michael Dougherty's Trick 'r Treat has become a true cult classic. The movie was originally delayed for two years, but despite all the odds stacked against it, it found an audience that embraced it as a true modern-day Halloween classic. The cult interest was enough to see a sequel announced in 2013, but news has been scarce about the follow-up...until now. With Trick 'r Treat releasing a new 4K Ultra HD edition that is bound to be a treat for fans, Dougherty has offered an update on the sequel that sounds promising.

The update on the sequel comes during the new commentary track on the Ultra HD edition of the film, via Bloody Disgusting, which is moderated by Dead Meat's James A. Janisse and Chelsea Rebecca. During the chat, Dougherty reveals that the sequel script has been written with fellow writers Todd Casey and Zach Shields,...

The bungling of Trick ‘r Treat by Warner Bros. — shelving it after well-received festival screenings before unceremoniously dumping it straight to DVD in 2009 — is well-documented, but had it received a traditional theatrical release and underperformed, there’s a chance it may have never entered the cultural zeitgeist. Instead, its authentic cult roots allowed it to blossom into the contemporary classic we celebrate today.

Trick ‘r Treat stands alongside the opening credits of Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers as a felicitous distillation of the Halloween atmosphere on celluloid. Sam, the impish demon played by 7-year-old Quinn Lord that serves as the film’s mascot, personifies the tricks and treats of Halloween while serving as the connective tissue between segments.

Writer-director Michael Dougherty — in his feature debut after making a name for himself as a writer on X2: X-Men United and Superman Returns — evokes Pulp Fiction with his expertly crafted...

On the new Trick ‘r Treat 4K Ultra HD edition — out today from Arrow Video — writer-director Michael Dougherty provides an update on the long-gestating sequel, first announced all the way back in 2013.

In a new commentary moderated by Dead Meat’s James A. Janisse and Chelsea Rebecca, Doughtery confirms that he wrote Trick ‘r Treat 2 with his Krampus collaborators Todd Casey and Zach Shields and it’s already storyboarded, but getting it made within the studio system is complicated.

“It’s tricky, because I think we really did capture lightning in a bottle with this one, and it nearly killed me. What a lot of people don’t realize is that the bulk of our favorite horror movies, especially the ones that introduced new horror icons, were all independent movies,” Dougherty explains, citing the likes of Halloween, Friday the 13th, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

“There aren’t...

Since its release 17 years ago, Michael Dougherty's horror anthology film Trick 'r Treat has developed quite a cult following despite receiving a straight-to-dvd release. Fans have long sung its praises as a severely underappreciated slasher masterpiece. Furthermore, critics have identified it as a solid horror film robbed of mainstream treatment. Now, after nearly a two-decade wait, it can be enjoyed from the comfort (or shall we say discomfort?) of your own home. Trick 'r Treat began streaming on Max last month. So, what is it about this creepy sleeper hit that makes it so underrated, and why is it only coming to streaming now?

Something for Every Horror Fan

Warner Bros.

Trick 'r Treat follows four interwoven stories on one Halloween night in the fictional Warren Valley. The one thread that ties all the plotlines together is Sam, a murderous, demonic child who wears a burlap sack over his head.

Fan-favorite horror film Trick 'r Treat is receiving a comic book extension from Legendary Comics, which just launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the project and has already nearly reached its goals. Now, horror fans can begin to get excited about the return of franchise mascot Sam, and the exciting anthology format of the movie, in comic book form.

The Kickstarter page is now live for Trick 'r Treat: Witching Hours, agraphic novel that combines the talents of franchise creator Michael Dougherty with an all-star line-up of writers and artists for four new tales of terror set in the Trick 'r Treat universe.

These stories are set to include horrifying creatures, space-age horrors, ghosts and of course, Sam himself, and will hopefully keep fans satisfied until news regarding the long-awaited sequel to the original film, Trick 'r Treat 2 arrives in the future.

New Trick 'r Treat Comic Brings Back...

Director Mike Dougherty is slowing pushing forward Trick ‘r Treat 2, the long-awaited sequel to his horror anthology film Trick ‘r Treat (watch it Here). Two years ago, he said the sequel is in “very active development“ and last year he mentioned that there is a “really great script” in place that he wrote with his Krampus collaborators Zach Shields and Todd Casey. He also revealed that the new film will give Trick ‘r Treat’s little icon Sam a “proper nemesis” to face off with. While we wait for that movie to make it into production, Legendary Comics has revealed that they’ve teamed up with Dougherty for a new graphic novel called Trick ‘r Treat: Witching Hours – and copies can be purchased through this Kickstarter campaign!

Written and directed by Dougherty, Trick ‘r Treat told five interwoven stories that occur on Halloween: An everyday high school principal has...

While we continue waiting for a sequel to the movie, the world of Trick ‘r Treat continues to expand in the comic book realm with Trick’ r Treat: Witching Hours, a new graphic novel from Legendary Comics and Rocketship Entertainment that’s available exclusively on Kickstarter.

This marks the first all-original Trick ‘r Treat graphic novel in a decade, presented by Trick’ r Treat creator and director Michael Dougherty. Also, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Michael Dougherty’s Krampus in 2025, a new edition of the tie-in graphic novel, Krampus: Shadow of Saint Nicholas, will be launched with a special Kickstarter edition.

Trick ‘r Treat: Witching Hours features four brand-new, original stories centered around everyone’s favorite mischief-maker, Sam. The stories are brought to life by a talented group of creators, including writers Michael Dougherty (Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Trick’ r Treat: Days of the Dead), Zach Shields (Godzilla: King of the Monsters,...

Widely regarded as one of the best Halloween horror movies ever made, Michael Doughertys Trick 'r Treat has become a cult classic that fans look forward to re-watching every year. Making the festival rounds starting in 2007, the film eventually made its debut on physical media in 2009 with a direct-to-dvd and Blu-ray release, with a special collectors edition coming nine years later courtesy of Shout! Factory. In the interim, fans who have been clamoring for a 4K release now have something to celebrate, as its just been announced that Arrow video will finally be giving Trick 'r Treat the proper release it rightfully deserves.

Per Bloody Disgusting, the new Arrow upgrade will be available as both a Limited Edition 4K Ultra HD release and a Limited Edition Arrow Store Exclusive, which includes original poster art. Both are available to pre-order now at the cost of $35 bucks, which is a small price...

Michael Dougherty’s Halloween classic Trick ‘r Treat heads back to physical media this spooky season with a brand new 4K release in the US, UK and Canada from Arrow Video.

Up for pre-order right now, you can either grab the Limited Edition 4K Ultra HD release or the Limited Edition Arrow Store Exclusive version, which features original poster artwork.

Both will be released in the United States on October 29, 2024.

Watch the official trailer for the brand new 4K restoration below!

4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Limited Edition Contents include…

Brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films, approved by writer-director Michael Dougherty 4K Ultra HD (2160p) Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) Original DTS-hd Ma 5.1 surround and 2.0 stereo audio Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing Archival audio commentary by Michael Dougherty, conceptual artist Breehn Burns, storyboard artist Simeon Wilkins and composer Douglas Pipes Tales of Folklore & Fright,...

Horror fans, brace yourselves: Shout! Factory’s Shocktober Sale has returned, bringing with it monstrous discounts of up to 67% on some of the most iconic titles in the Scream Factory collection. Running until October 17, 2024, this is the perfect opportunity to grab everything from cult classics to modern horror gems at unbeatable prices. With Halloween around the corner, there’s no better time to dive into the world of terror and suspense. Here are some of the spine-chilling highlights that you can pick up before time runs out.

Seasonal tricks and treats

No Halloween collection is complete without Trick ‘r Treat, Michael Dougherty’s 2007 anthology that has become a staple of the spooky season. Following multiple interconnected stories that unfold on Halloween night, from a sinister child in a pumpkin mask to a deadly prank gone wrong, the film perfectly captures the eerie magic of the holiday. With a Collector’s Edition loaded with special features,...

HBO announced today that Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler have officially joined the cast of the upcoming DC series Lanterns. Aaron Pierre will play John Stewart and Kyle Chandler has been cast as Hal Jordan.

The anticipated series follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.

Lanterns is an HBO series in association with Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios. Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King will co-write the series based on the DC comic Green Lantern.

James Hawes directs the first two episodes. The series is executive produced by Mundy, Lindelof, King, and Hawes.

Aaron Pierre currently stars as the lead in Jeremy Saulnier’s Rebel Ridge, which debuted on Netflix on September 6th and was the #1 title worldwide on the streaming service for three weeks in a row.

With The Haunting 2024 now up and running for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Warzone, it’s time to get into the treats. And Sam is at the ready to help out. Available now is the “Tracer Pack: Trick ‘r Treat – Sam” Operator Bundle, which just as the title infers, features Sam from Michael Dougherty‘s Trick ‘r Treat as an operator for Modern Warfare III and Warzone. You can check it out with in the new trailer below.

This Tracer Pack comes with two Operator Skins, three Weapon Blueprints, the “Lollipopped” Finishing Move, plus the “Boo!” Weapon Charm, “His Night. His Rules” Emblem, and a Loading Screen.

The Trick ‘r Treat tracer pack joins the Daryl Dixon Operator Bundle and Terrifier Operator Bundle, which feature Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead and Art the Clown, respectively.

The Haunting 2024 event brings new maps, returning modes such as Mutation and Hordepoint,...

There are plenty of Trick 'R Treat rules that Sam enforces, and the unlucky few who break them pay the ultimate price. Michael Dougherty directed Trick 'R Treat, an anthology film set on Halloween night in a small town. Horror comedy is a tricky genre, as the scares and humor can easily cancel each other out. However, Trick 'R Treat walks that tonal tightrope while subverting genre clichs and stereotypes. John Carpenter's Halloween may be considered the best movie about the titular celebration, but Trick 'R Treat also stands the test of time as a cult Halloween classic.

Trick 'R Treat and its Halloween stories involve zombies, werewolves, and slasher killers, but it's all held together by Sam. Trick 'R Treat's Sam looks like a young trick-or-treater, but he's a demonic being who enforces the rules of the holiday; his name also derives from Samhain, the Gaelic festival that inspired Halloween.

We may not be any closer to a second movie but it’s still a damn good year to be a fan of Michael Dougherty’s Trick ‘r Treat. For starters, the cult Halloween classic is getting its own Six Flags Fright Fest attraction this Halloween season, with a fresh new 4K restoration on the way.

Additionally, the clothing company Rsvlts has put a brand new officially licensed Trick ‘r Treat collection up for grabs this week, including button-downs, a t-shirt, and more.

The Trick ‘R Treat x Rsvlts Collection includes an incredible lineup of designs, all available on Rsvlts signature Kunuflex material and are available across classic (unisex) and women’s styles/sizing, as well as a classic crewneck sweatshirt, a t-shirt and a dad hat.

The full collection includes…

“Lollygagging” – classic(unisex) and women styles/sizes “Halloween Rules” – classic(unisex) and women styles/sizes “Candy and Costumes” – classic...

Arrow is going all out this October with a chilling and diverse collection of films and horror content to get viewers in the Halloween spirit. The cult streaming service is showcasing an impressive roster of J-horror favourites, werewolf scares, supernatural frights, and even curated picks from horror maestro Michael Dougherty. Titled “ARROWeen,” this fright-filled month offers something for every horror fan, from gory slasher remakes to subtle psychological terrors.

Among the biggest draws is J-Horror Rising, a collection of seven iconic Japanese horror films that gained massive popularity at the turn of the millennium. These films, which feature everything from deadly curses to urban legends, include Shikoku, Isola: Multiple Personality Girl, and the much-praised Noroi: The Curse. Fans of the J-horror genre will appreciate this selection for its blend of supernatural chills, eerie atmospheres, and a deep dive into the genre’s most disturbing tales.

Adding to the October excitement,...

The 4:30 Movie, the sixteenth feature film from director Kevin Smith, is now in theatres (you can read a review by JoBlo’s own Alex Maidy at This Link), and to mark the occasion we have decided to look back over Smith’s entire directing career and assemble a list of Kevin Smith Movies Ranked, from #16 to #1. This list doesn’t represent everything Smith has done; you won’t find movies he did uncredited rewrites on (like Overnight Delivery) or wrote for someone else to direct (Jay & Silent Bob’s Super Groovy Cartoon Movie), or even the segment he contributed to the anthology horror film Holidays. For this list, we’re only covering the features that had him at the helm. And here we go…

KillRoy Was Here (2022)

While recording an episode of the Edumacation podcast, Smith and co-host Andy McElfresh “accidentally brainstormed a Christmas horror anthology” that would revolve...

When it comes to sub-genres of horror, there's nothing as intriguing as holiday-themed nightmares. Particularly of the blood-soaked Christmas variety. In the last decade, one of the genre's best horror comedies was Krampus. All centered around the demonic anti-Christmas figure, director Michael Dougherty (Trick 'r Treat) served up a handful of creative laughs and scares. Now, almost a decade later, Krampus is getting a killer 4K steelbook from Scream Factory packed with a ton of goodies this holiday season.