Let’s face it: horror movies almost never win Oscars. In fact, they’re the black sheep of the film industry—looked down on, snubbed by critics, and ignored during awards season. But here’s the twist: vampires, zombies, and masked killers might just be keeping Hollywood alive.
Let’s not forget: horror has always been the genre the so-called “serious” critics roll their eyes at. But those same critics might owe their careers—and their fancy premieres—to the very genre they dismiss. Without horror keeping theaters afloat, where would people even go to watch those “Oscar-worthy” art films?
So here’s to horror: the genre that fills seats, pays the bills, and keeps the popcorn popping.
Long live the monsters. Let the vampires bite. And may the zombies keep on rolling.
Patriotism can be a beautiful thing—but let’s be honest, it can also be scary ..
Hear me out.
When patriotism crosses the line from love-of-country into cult-like obsession—where questioning anything is seen as treason and nuance is dead—that’s when things start to get real weird. Not unlike, say, a horror movie about a murderous dead soldier in red, white, and blue..
Yes, I’m talking about Uncle Sam—that forgotten little 1996 horror flick that was equal parts goofy and unsettling, and somehow still echoes today in all the wrong ways.
The plot? A group of teenagers desecrate the grave of a Gulf War vet, and said vet doesn’t take kindly to that. He rises from the dead as a walking PSA for blind patriotism, and starts maiming anyone who isn’t waving a flag hard enough. Subtle? Not exactly.
But it was one of the first horror films to tap into the Gulf War era, instead of the well-worn Vietnam tropes.
Look, I’m not saying Uncle Sam is high cinema.
It had a budget that probably couldn’t cover a fireworks stand in rural Pennsylvania. But I am saying that the character was a ghoulish and weirdly memorable versions of Uncle Sam itself. And still sticks with me.
Proof that even low-budget horror can leave a mark.
Or a scar? Don’t even start me on JACKO!
The movie leans more toward comedic horror than psychological thriller, but watching it today, it almost feels… prophetic.
A guy in a flag hat violently enforcing “real” patriotism? Huh. Totally fiction. No modern parallels there. Nope. Nothing.
Anyway, this 4th of July, we won’t be watching Uncle Sam again—not because we’re too good for it, but because the Twilight Zone marathon is on, and nothing screams “American holiday” like existential dread and government conspiracies in black and white with Rod Serling narrating.
Or maybe we’ll queue up that episode of Stranger Things where the mayor insists on throwing a fireworks show while literal monsters are tearing the town apart. Now that feels like the true spirit of the season.
Happy Independence Day. Light the grill, question authority, and maybe… skip digging up any graves.
The event featured a mix of horror legends and lesser-known gems from the genre, giving fans everything from nostalgia to fresh blood. Unfortunately, we found out about the convention a little too late this year to help promote it properly. But trust us, we’ll be ready next year. Count on The Horror Report to shine a bigger spotlight on it in 2026.
There were some really fun guests.
In the meantime, enjoy a few snapshots from our visit including some special moments we won’t soon forget.
I had the absolute pleasure of meeting the lovely Dee Wallace, and so did my son. She couldn’t have been more gracious. She is truly an amazing soul. My son even shared with her one of his earliest memories: when he was about 5 or 6, my late father (his grandfather) was babysitting him and, right before falling asleep, put on Cujo. Let’s just say that traumatizing a child with a rabid St. Bernard was not the best idea but Dee absolutely loved the story. She admitted she was pretty traumatized by it too. Instant connection. She told us an interesting story about the multiple dogs used in the film, and how she was really bloodied during filming when glass cut her arm.
I also got to meet Robert Longstreet, known for Midnight Mass, The Midnight Club, Halloween Kills, and more. A genuinely down-to-earth guy. He was humble, kind, and a pleasure to talk with. Another great human being in the horror world. He loved Midnight Mass as much as me.. he also hopes that, if Michael Flanagan is reading, out Robert in your next project, ok!?
And last but not least of my favorites today, the great Harry Manfredini, the legendary composer behind the Friday the 13th films. What a riot. He was a laugh-a-minute, full of stories, sharp wit, and just an all-around blast to be around.
It’s nothing but praise from us here at The Horror Report for Horror on Main. Harrisburg, you hosted a great show. We will be back next time. I heard some great stories.. and after seeing the pictures, realized my 14-year-old is now taller than me…. How about that.
Fans of the zombie genre—you’ve been patient. You waited what feels like 28 years for this follow-up to Danny Boyle’s iconic 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later. And now, finally, 28 Years Later is here… with more controversy, bigger (literally) zombies, and a lot of very mixed feelings.
Let’s talk about the elephant—or should I say appendage—in the room. Social media lit up after the early screenings, not with praise, but with memes, gasps, and raised eyebrows. Why? Giant zombie genitals. Yep. Not exactly the cinematic moment fans were expecting.
While the critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave the film some love, the audience reviews are far less forgiving. Some say the trailer was better than the movie itself. Others questioned whether this franchise still has bite in a post-Walking Dead world, where zombie fatigue is very, very real.
Still, 28 Years Later managed to pull in $30 million over its opening weekend, which isn’t bad for horror—but it’s worth noting that it front-loaded heavy with diehards on Thursday previews, then dropped off. Compare that to How to Train Your Dragon, which took $37 million and proved that dragons (at least this week) are hotter than the undead.
Box office stats show the strongest numbers came from the East Coast, West Coast, and South Central U.S., with AMC Burbank leading the pack at $97,000 through Saturday. Demographics? 49% of the audience were men over 25, and 46% were Caucasian, followed by Latino/Hispanic (25%), Black (12%), and Asian American (10%).
There’s also chatter about the ending—some calling it bold, others calling it baffling. Either way, 28 Years Later has stirred up more discussion than devotion. And while $30 million is a solid haul, don’t be surprised if it takes a steep dive as the weeks go on.
So, was it worth the wait? That might depend on how much you like your zombies… anatomically enhanced.
Warner Bros. is going full creepy-viral to promote Weapons — the upcoming child-horror flick from Barbarian writer-director Zack Cregger. The latest move? An unlisted two-hour surveillance-style video that shows kids running through the night. That’s it. Two straight hours of eerie night vision footage — mostly silent, occasionally disturbing, all deeply unsettling.
The official poster sets the tone perfectly: “Last night at 2:17 a.m., every child from Mrs. Gandy’s class woke up, got out of bed, went downstairs, opened the front door, walked into the dark… and never came back.”
A few of the comments on the video are fun.. A sampling of our favorites:
in the 1980s we would call this “normal” “Kids are gonna start doing this at night, running down the streets with their arms open and dangling” “Ok guys. This is the whole movie. Dont waste your money.” “E V I L….welcome to Holly Wood”
Weapons stars Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, June Diane Raphael, Toby Huss, and Benedict Wong — a solid cast, but let’s be honest, the internet can’t stop talking about that video. It’s already disturbing viewers, with some thinking — at first glance — that it might be actual found footage or worse. It’s not. It’s modern horror marketing, devolved and digitized for maximum effect. And it works. Two hours of children screaming, vanishing, and disappearing into the dark. Nothing concrete, just vibes. Bad ones.
Here is the official trailer:
This might be the most highly anticipated horror release of the summer. The trailer itself? Looks phenomenal. A seemingly mundane setup — high schoolers disappearing on a random Wednesday — but that’s what makes it even more terrifying. I’ve always found that the best horror comes from that sudden rupture of normalcy. The ordinary turning otherworldly. The safe spaces suddenly unsafe.
Horror fans, rejoice. The rest of the world? They’re recoiling at this ad campaign — and that’s probably exactly the point. Love it or hate it, Weapons has everyone talking. Mission accomplished.
Brad Caleb Kane just posted a photo on Instagram showing a production draft script for Crystal Lake — and he announced that the production offices are officially open for business!
The script he shared was written by Kane himself, based on characters created by Friday the 13th (1980) writer Victor Miller. The copyright is registered to “Camp Blood LLC,” which pretty much confirms that pre-production is underway and things are starting to move.
Also, Linda Cardellini has signed on to play Mrs. Voorhees for A24 and Peacock’s Crystal Lake. She’s described as “a mother who gave up a singing career to raise her special needs son, only to take a dark turn after losing him.” And that son, of course, is Jason Voorhees.
A bit of PR is coming from studios about the newest inclusion of yet another FINAL DESTINATION film into the ranks of horror history..
New Line is bragging up the potential popularity of the film ..
In the first 24-hours of release, the trailer traffic is the second best for any horror movie at 178.7M worldwide views behind New Line’s own It which had near 200M global views.
“I can’t critique this movie, to me it’s perfect. It’s got balls. [Screenwriter] Diablo Cody was outspoken and beautiful and smart and funny,” she said. “We were expressing a certain angst in a very specific, comedic way in a very specific genre. The special effects were so incredible, there were stunts, there was everything you could want.”
Though “Jennifer’s Body” has since found an audience as a subversive feminist cult classic, the film flopped on initial release, which Seyfried chalks up to poor marketing. “If the critics criticize anything, it would be the marketing,” she said. “The marketing sucked, it just did. And we all agree.”
It’s been quite a while since I did a movie review, so here goes nothing!
I just finished watching Presence, the David Soderbergh film starring Lucy Liu.
Before heading into the theater, I, like many others, had a general idea of what to expect—a ghost story, but not your typical one. Instead, it’s a story told through the eyes of the ghost, offering a fresh and unique perspective.
For a modern ghost story, it’s surprisingly creative. The last time something remotely similar was done was probably in the early 2000s with Nicole Kidman’s The Others. However, this film is vastly different. It stands apart with its stark tone and emotional depth. In fact, I believe many of the reviews I’ve read don’t do justice to what this movie offers.
x x x
Without giving away spoilers, I’ll just share this: the experience of watching the film in an empty theater added to the creepiness for me. I went alone, expecting a few other moviegoers, but since it was an afternoon showing, the theater was dark and empty. The occasional theater staff peeking in added to the eerie vibe, as if even they were surprised to find someone watching.
Now, about the film itself: Soderbergh invites us to see life—or rather, death—through the ghost’s perspective. We witness a troubled family with clear signs of sibling rivalry, teenagers dealing with the pressures of peer influence and drugs, and, overarching it all, the theme of death. The antagonist is genuinely dreadful; you despise him. And by the end, in a dramatic twist, he gets his just deserts—though not without deep, dark, unintended consequences for the family.
What struck me the most was the emotional impact of the film. None of the reviews I read beforehand prepared me for the depth of feeling it evoked. The last 10 minutes were utterly draining, and in the final moments, I sat alone in that dark theater, almost weeping. The intensity of the family’s struggles, the chilling implications of the story, and even the haunting nature of the 100-year-old mirrors left me shaken.
This movie isn’t boring, contrary to what some critics have said. It’s also nothing like Skinamarink, as some comparisons suggested. This film has dialogue, music, and a narrative style that’s far more engaging. It’s beautifully shot and masterful in its dialogue. While some might argue the human interactions weren’t as creative, I’d disagree. I left the theater deeply moved.
While there aren’t many jump scares, this film doesn’t rely on cheap tricks. Instead, it reaches into your soul and leaves a lasting impression. There’s something profound and meaningful about it. Even if it’s not to everyone’s taste, I urge you to ignore the critics who call it boring and give it a try. Perhaps you’ll leave the theater as I did, emotionally shaken yet strangely grateful for the experience.
A little movie about a guy with claws.. Freddy went from villain to 1980s phenom as movie after movie eventually got minced out like sausage in a factory..
But it all started on November 9 1984 when Wes Craven’s creation took hold as a pop culture icon.
It also gave is Heather Langenkamp–and Johnny Depp.
The original A Nightmare on Elm Street, released in 1984, was a groundbreaking slasher film written and directed by Wes Craven. With a modest budget of around $1.8 million, it grossed over $25 million at the U.S. box office, making it a surprise hit. The film not only launched the iconic horror franchise but also helped propel the careers of several key figures. It introduced audiences to Robert Englund as the infamous Freddy Krueger, whose portrayal became legendary. Additionally, it played a significant role in the early careers of actors like Johnny Depp, whose role as Glen earned him his first major film credit, and actress Heather Langenkamp, who starred as the film’s protagonist, Nancy. The success of Nightmare also solidified Wes Craven as a major force in the horror genre.
But..
Going back in time, just for fun, we find this little snippet review of the film from the AP that was shared in newspapers across America a the time–and with reviews like this, 40 years of Freddy just should never have happened.
Happy birthday Fred … no worries about bad reviews anymore.
