A new entry in the Paranormal Activity horror franchise is in development, with James Wan set to produce alongside Jason Blum and Oren Peli. The project stems from the recent merger of Wan's Atomic Monster and Blumhouse, with Paramount handling distribution. No release date or casting has been announced yet.
Announcement Details
The Hollywood Reporter broke the news of the upcoming eighth Paranormal Activity film, confirming the involvement of acclaimed director James Wan as producer. Wan, known for The Conjuring and Saw franchises, expressed enthusiasm in a statement: “I’ve been a huge admirer of Paranormal Activity since the brilliant first movie, with its creeping slow burn and subtle ability to make the unseen terrifying. I’m looking forward to expanding on its legacy and helping shape the next evolution of this scary found-footage franchise.”
Jason Blum, co-founder of Blumhouse, will co-produce with Wan and original director Oren Peli of Solana Films. Additional executive producers include Steven Schneider, Michael Clear, Judson Scott, and Alayna Glasthal. Blum commented on the collaboration: “Diving in with James for this exciting rebirth of the franchise that started it all for Blumhouse is exactly what we dreamed of when we merged with Atomic Monster. I’ll be actively involved with him to introduce this new chapter.” He added humorously, “Thankfully, we’re able to spend a little more than the $15,000 we had on the first movie, but one thing will remain the same – do not see it alone.”
Franchise Background
Launched in 2007 with a micro-budget of $15,000, the original Paranormal Activity became a global phenomenon, grossing $194.2 million and spawning seven sequels. The series, presented as found footage from security cameras, follows households terrorized by a demon named Tobie. The franchise has earned nearly $900 million worldwide, cementing its status as one of horror's most successful. The latest installment, Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin, arrived in 2021. This new film is described as a priority for the Blumhouse-Atomic Monster partnership.