Shudderisn’t ready to stash away theirV/H/Splayer just yet. The latest entry in the found footage anthology series,V/H/S/85, recently became the most-watched debut of any exclusive film on the horror streamer and AMC+ for 2023 followingits October 6 premiere. It was enough to make the following day, October 7, the biggest acquisition day of the year for Shudder, reaffirming the love for the spooky videotapes. Following that success, a seventh installment was announced atNew York Comic-Con, promising to boldly go where noV/H/Shas gone before — space!
The new film, which has yet to be named, will specifically focus on sci-fi horror instead of keeping the scares grounded on Earth. The two genresare a match made in heavenwith iconic films ranging fromAlientoThe Thing, and even the campyKiller Klowns From Outer Spaceall exploringthe horrors that lie beyond our planet. With such a wide range of avenues to go down with the genre, Studio71’s next five tapes set in a “sci-fi-inspired hellscape” promise new possibilities for a series so focused oncelebrating the horrific visions of individual creatives. Much of the veteranV/H/Sproduction team will be back for the sci-fi take, includingJosh Goldbloomfor Cinepocalypse,Bloody Disgustingco-founder and franchise architectBrad Miska, andJames Harris, with executive producersMichael SchreiberandAdam Boorstin.
“Jason Voorhees, Leprechaun, Pinhead, Dracula, even the Amityville Horror house ended up in space, so as we move into our own Part 7 it was only natural that we should too,” Goldbloomsaid of the new installment. “Thesci-fi horror genreprovides us an infinite playground of forbidden worlds anddangerous lifeforms, a formula which we’re confident will lead to the biggest, maddest, bloodiestV/H/Sever.” That sentiment of exploration was echoed by Head of AMC Networks’ Film GroupScott Shoomanwho said of the new film:
“TheV/H/Sfranchise has been terrifying and entertaining audiences for over a decade now thanks to the work of some of the genre’s most gifted filmmakers. Following the massive success ofV/H/S/85and its previous installments on Shudder, it’s clear that the filmmaking team won’t be running out of unique ideas anytime soon. We’re thrilled that the franchise is going in a bold, new direction that will surprise fans and newcomers alike, and demonstrate the innovative capabilities of sci-fi within the world ofV/H/S.”
‘V/H/S’ Continues Reaching New Bloodcurdling Heights
V/H/Sis one of Shudder’s crown jewels of horror, constantly delivering new installments since 2012 that bring in amix of established and up-and-coming directors and writersto showcase their unique spins on terror.V/H/S/85rounded out the franchise’s years trilogy, following up94and99with a bang by marking a 25% increase in viewership over its pre-Y2K-set installment from 2022. The franchise’s importance in Shudder’s catalog was on full display at NYCC as the streamer’s VP of ProgrammingSamuel Zimmermanmoderated a panel full ofV/H/Sroyalty including Goldbloom alongsideHellraiserrebootdirectorDavid Bruckner,Chloe Okuno,Natasha Kermani, andTyler McIntyre.
The new sci-fi horror-centricV/H/Sfilm will arrive in 2024. In the meantime, check out our interview with Bruckner onV/H/S/85below.
