While the COVID-19 pandemic put a general halt to all major movie releases, Blumhouse Productions has ensured that horror fans have several major premieres to look forward to in 2021. Whether they are building on a franchise or adding a new, original movie to their lineup, the company continues to prove that they are a horror staple that will satisfy fans of any sub-genre. Despite the overall disappointment that came with hearing some of these movies were delayed, they are officially slated to hit theaters - hopefully - come 2021.
Blumhouse is responsible for some of the biggest franchises in the horror genre. One of their earliest projects was the found footage movie Paranormal Activity, which spawned several prequels, sequels, and spin-offs that all connect the overall story of Toby, the horrifying spirit that haunts sisters Katie and Kristi. It was made on a shoe-string budget, but proved that the production company can change things up at any minute, no matter the budgetary restraints. Blumhouse went on to create and enjoy success with Insidious, The Purge, Happy Death Day, and even the reboot of John Carpenter's Halloween with David Gordon Green as the director. Even in its earlier years, movie goers could easily associate the iconic Blumhouse logo as a marker of how impeccable the horror movie would be.
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to pull several of their most anticipated releases from their set schedules, it appeared as if Halloween and the months leading up to it would be void of the excitement the studio often brings to the spookiest holiday season. They quickly responded with announcements regarding VOD releases and Amazon exclusive movies. In October 2020, their soft sequel to The Craft—titled The Craft: Legacy—released as a VOD exclusive, which was promptly followed by a limited theatrical release of Freaky before it hit the VOD rental market. Welcome To The Blumhouse ushered in the opportunity for several lesser-known directors to showcase their take on different horror sub-genres in the feature-film anthology collection. Blumhouse is a powerhouse in the horror industry and their 2021 releases will inevitably continue to reflect that — here's everything audiences can expect next year.
The Forever Purge - July 9, 2021
The Forever Purge is the fifth installment in the franchise, and potentially the last. Normally, each installment takes place on the one night a year when all crime is legal for 12 hours, including murder. While there has not been an official release about greater plot details or a trailer, it is safe to assume that something may go awry that causes this year's purge to last longer than anticipated based on the connotation of the term "forever."
The movie was originally slated to premiere on July 9, 2020, but has been postponed to July 10, 2021. Regardless of what year the next Purge movie will release, fans can anticipate it happening in July, as it ties into the American patriotic holiday, the 4th of July. The movie stars Ana de la Reguera, Josh Lucas, Tenoch Huerta, Leven Rambin, and Will Patton. The Forever Purge is directed by Everardo Gout.
Welcome To The Blumhouse Part 2
Welcome To The Blumhouse returns next year with four brand-new movies. Their first four included The Lie, Black Box, Nocturne, and Evil Eye. The first two movies were released on Amazon on the same day at the beginning of October and the last two premiered approximately two weeks later. It's likely that the next four will follow the same format with the same intended release dates, unless another movie Blumhouse happens to be working on takes priority.
While a definitive release date has not been announced for 2021, the movies have been. Ryan Zaragoza's full-length feature debut Madres tells the story of a pregnant Mexican-American woman. After she and her husband move to a migrant community, sinister and supernatural occurrences cause them to question their sanity. Axelle Carolyn's The Manor features a haunted nursing home, which is not a common environment in horror movies. Fans are getting a creature feature as well with Maritte Lee Go's Black as Night, about teenage vampires wreaking havoc across New Orleans. Gigi Saul Guerrero's Bingo takes place at an elderly community, not to be confused with a nursing home. Set in the Barrio of Oak Springs, main character Lupita is faced with powerful forces outside of the realm of belief. Each addition to the Welcome To The Blumhouse series features a new, exciting setting from diverse voices that offers a way to innovate the existing sub-genres the directors are working within.
Halloween Kills - October 15, 2021
If one movie is going to take priority over release schedules, it's David Gordon Green's second installment in his Halloween reboot, Halloween Kills. Initially, Halloween Kills was set to hit theaters in the fall of 2020, but it was also delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While Blumhouse could've opted for a summer release like The Forever Purge, it is the Halloween franchise. As such, it would be a bit odd to not release the movie during the month of October.
Halloween Kills brings back Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie Strode, as well as Judy Greer as Karen Nelson and Andi Matichak as Allyson Nelson. The teaser trailer for the movie revealed that there will be several familiar faces returning to the franchise for the first time in years such as Tommy Doyle, Lindsey Wallace, Lonnie Elam, Marion Chambers, and Leigh Brackett. There's a lot to look forward to with this sequel, especially since they will be returning to the Myers house for what might be the last time. Halloween Kills is expected to release theatrically on October 15, 2021
Vengeance
BJ Novak is making his directorial debut with Blumhouse Productions in 2021. While this movie may have gone under the radar, Vengeance ushers the actor and comedian into the realm of horror. He is known famously as portraying Ryan Howard on The Office, but it might be time for a change in recognition. Vengeance stars Novak as a New York radio host who goes to the South in order to investigate the murder of his girlfriend. It's likely that Vengeance will be a horror comedy due to its creator as well as its cast. Alongside Novak, the movie stars Boyd Holbrook, Ashton Kutcher, and Issa Rae. While filming was postponed due to COVID-19, the movie is nearing the final days of filming. With so many incredible additions to the Blumhouse Productions lineup, 2021 may prove to be one of horror's most exciting years to date.
