Your Official 4th of July Horror Watchlist Is Here.

THE WEEKLY SHIVER

The horror fan's Friday ritual—news, recs, and the weirdest finds from across the Horrorverse.

FRESH CUTS 🩸

This is where we drop the hottest news, the freshest trailers, and the most buzz-worthy updates from the world of horror films, TV, and beyond. Think quick, punchy summaries with links to the source for those who want to deep dive.

'The Toxic Avenger' Swings His Murder Mop on New Poster for Reboot Movie’s Unrated Release! Troma's cult classic is back, and it's hitting theaters with an unrated cut on August 29, 2025! The new poster for this gory, satirical, action-packed superhero horror-comedy just dropped, promising all the unhinged fun fans expect from a film starring Peter Dinklage, Jacob Tremblay, and Kevin Bacon.

'M3GAN 2.0' Box Office Stumble: Jason Blum Opens Up Despite the viral success of the first film, Jason Blum, the genre's master producer, has shared his candid thoughts on "M3GAN 2.0" failing to ignite the box office. Was it too much too soon, or did our favorite AI doll just need a new battery?

'28 Years Later' Rages On! Boyle and Garland Return with a Star-Studded Cast. The legendary duo, Danny Boyle and Alex Garland, are officially back for "28 Years Later," which hit theaters on June 20, 2025. The film explores the grim aftermath of the Rage Virus, with Cillian Murphy returning as an executive producer and a cast featuring powerhouse talents Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson in a desolate, post-apocalyptic nightmare.

'Final Destination: Bloodlines' Reinvigorates Death's Design! You can't cheat Death, but the new installment in the Final Destination saga, which premiered on May 16, 2025, brought a clever twist! Focusing on first responders who escape their own near-fatal accidents, Death's elaborate plan now extends to those they save, leading to intricate, gruesome Rube Goldberg-esque fatalities.

CREATOR SPOTLIGHT 👁️

Here, we shine a light on the unsung heroes and rising stars behind the scares. This is where we get personal, highlighting their journey and impact on the horror community.

Robert Eggers: Master of Gothic Dread Unleashed 'Nosferatu' The visionary filmmaker known for his meticulous and atmospheric horrors like The Witch and The Lighthouse brought his long-awaited passion project, Nosferatu, to the screen in December 2024. Eggers’ adaptation delves deep into the monstrous, plague-rat version of the vampire, delivering a chilling and artful cinematic experience. With Bill Skarsgård’s terrifying performance as Count Orlok, alongside a cast including Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, and Willem Dafoe, it stands as a truly unsettling and recently acclaimed period piece.

DEEP DIVE 🔪

This is where we explore a compelling trend, a thought-provoking theme, or a significant development within the horror genre. This section encourages reflection and discussion, often tying into real-world anxieties.

The Unseen Horror: Our Obsession with the Digital and Psychological Terrors In an age increasingly dominated by technology and information overload, horror is masterfully tapping into our contemporary anxieties. We're seeing a fascinating shift from tangible monsters to the insidious dread lurking in our screens and our minds.

Key points:

• Modern horror films are adeptly reflecting societal fears around AI sentience, as seen in the unsettling evolution of characters like M3GAN and the enigmatic premise of Companion.

• The rise of "influencer horror" like Skillhouse directly confronts our hyper-connected online world, where public judgment and the pursuit of likes can have deadly, visceral consequences.

• The genre is increasingly exploring internal, psychological torment, highlighting how the scariest threats can originate from within or from the subtle, unseen shifts in our reality.

This trend underscores horror's enduring power to hold a mirror to our deepest, often unspoken, fears. It's a reminder that sometimes, the most terrifying monsters are the ones we create ourselves, or the ones that hide just beneath the surface of our digital lives.

HORROR HISTORY 👻

A look back at a classic, a milestone, or a forgotten gem that shaped the horror landscape. We're celebrating the legacy here!

Celebrating 50 Years of "Jaws" Can you believe it's been 50 years since Steven Spielberg's Jaws forever changed summer cinema? Released in 1975, this masterpiece of suspense plunged audiences into a terror unlike any before, proving that the most primal fears are often the most effective. To celebrate, the film is returning to theaters in IMAX starting August 29, 2025.

Legacy impact:

• "Jaws" single-handedly invented the concept of the "summer blockbuster," changing how films are marketed and released forever.

• It redefined the creature feature, proving that what you don't see can be far more terrifying than any CGI monstrosity.

• Its perfect blend of character-driven drama and escalating suspense continues to be a blueprint for thrillers across all genres.

Even half a century later, the iconic score and the chilling silhouette of that great white shark still evoke a visceral fear, cementing Jaws's place as an undying classic.

MONSTER MANUAL 🧟

A deep dive into a specific creature, archetype, or mythological figure in horror. We're dissecting what makes them terrifying!

The Vampire: Ancient Bloodlust, Modern Fears From the shadows of ancient folklore to the sleek, sophisticated creatures of modern cinema, the vampire has always been a chilling mirror to humanity's darkest desires and anxieties.

Evolution:

• Originating in various ancient myths and Eastern European folklore, early vampires were often depicted as bloated, decaying corpses returning to torment the living, embodying fears of plague and the desecration of the dead.

• The 20th century saw the vampire transform into the aristocratic, seductive figure popularized by Bram Stoker's Dracula and further refined in films like F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu, embodying fears of foreign invasion, societal corruption, and forbidden sexuality.

• Modern interpretations continue to evolve, exploring themes of addiction, existential loneliness, toxic relationships, and even societal class structures, ensuring this bloodsucking fiend remains eternally relevant.

Whether a decaying revenant or a suave predator, the vampire continues to embody our fascination with immortality, power, and the ultimate cost of survival.

WHAT TO WATCH 📺

Your curated list of must-see horror! A mix of new releases, those fantastic hidden gems, and what's leaving soon so you don't miss out!

NEW RELEASES

• Skillhouse: Dive into a terrifying reality where ten top influencers are kidnapped and forced into a deadly social media showdown, with every like and share becoming a fight for survival. This chilling commentary on our hyper-connected world hits theaters starting July 11, 2025.

• Presence: Steven Soderbergh’s genre-bending haunted house film isn't just about scares; it’s a deeply human and sad exploration of tragedy, seen through the eyes of an unseen entity. Now streaming on Hulu.

• Heart Eyes: Get ready for a wickedly fun slasher! When a killer targeting romantic partners mistakes co-workers Ally and Jay for a couple, they embark on a deadly Valentine's Day date. Perfect for fans of classic 90s slashing. Now streaming on Netflix.

• Fréwaka: Aislinn Clarke delivers a chilling Irish folk horror surprise about an agoraphobic woman haunted by sinister folkloric entities. It's a blend of raw humanity and fluid mythology that will stick with you. Now streaming on Shudder.

• The Ugly Stepsister: Prepare for some serious body horror with Emilie Blichfeldt's directorial debut, a dark reimagining of the Cinderella fairy tale. Elvira goes to extreme, grisly lengths to win the prince's heart. Now streaming on Shudder.

• The Monkey by Osgood Perkins: From the director of Longlegs comes a chilling Stephen King adaptation that was released in February. Twin brothers confront a murderous cymbal-banging monkey toy from their past. Expect retro dread and stunningly gory death scenes.

HIDDEN GEMS

• Killer Kites: If you're in the mood for something truly bonkers, check out this delightfully nonsensical and campy horror film. It's a short, sweet, and hilariously ridiculous ride about murderous kites that's perfect for a laugh. Streaming now on Tubi.

LEAVING SOON

• No major updates this week for this section.

READING LIST 📚

For those who love to get their scares from the page! A mix of brand-new horror novels and a classic revisited.

NEW RELEASES

• That Very Witch: Fear, Feminism, and the American Witch Film: This upcoming book promises a fascinating examination of how witches have evolved in horror, exploring themes of fear and feminism within American witch cinema. Look for it on July 22, 2025, with a launch event at Fantasia International Film Festival!

CLASSIC REVISITED

• Frankenstein by Mary Shelley remains a masterclass in gothic horror. Its exploration of creation, responsibility, and the monstrousness of humanity continues to influence the genre.

GAME OVER 🎮

Because horror isn't just about movies and books! A look at the latest terrifying video game news.

Hellkind: Immerse yourself in Galician folklore with this atmospheric horror game, which just released on July 3rd and is ready to spook you!

Bendy: Lone Wolf: The digital launch for this upcoming horror title is set for August 15, with physical PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch versions hitting shelves on October 24.

Total Chaos: Get ready for more survival horror FPS action, but you'll have to wait a little longer. This game has been bumped to a Q4 2025 release to ensure it's cooked to perfection.

Death Stranding 2: Gamers rejoice! Death Stranding 2: On the Beach officially launched for PlayStation 5 on June 26, 2025, delivering a unique and haunting experience.

HORROR HAPPENINGS 🎭

Your guide to upcoming horror conventions, festivals, and events!

Fantasia International Film Festival

• Location: Montreal, Canada

• Dates: July 16–August 3, 2025

• Highlight: The final wave of programming for this year's festival is insane! It includes Lily-Hayes Kaufman’s Troma documentary 'Occupy Cannes,' the Indonesian gorefest 'The Book of Sijjun and Illiyyin,' and the mind-bending 'Hellcat.'

FINAL THOUGHT 💀

What a week, Shiver Squad! From an unrated Toxie to the psychological depths of Presence, and the sheer existential dread of Robert Eggers' Nosferatu, horror is truly flexing its muscles across every medium. It's wild to think how many ways we find to explore our fears, whether it's the primal terror of a shark, the unseen specter in our homes, or the chilling implications of our own technology.

This genre, our community, it's a living, breathing thing, constantly adapting, constantly surprising. It feeds on our anxieties and somehow, makes us feel a little less alone in them. So go forth, embrace the fear, watch a hidden gem, or dive into a new book. Just remember, the scares aren't just on the screen—they're a part of us, waiting to be unleashed. Stay creepy, my friends. And I'll see you next Friday.