A new installment in the Paranormal Activity franchise is in development, marking a rebirth for the series after four years. The project comes from the Blumhouse-Atomic Monster partnership with Paramount Pictures, with James Wan joining as a producer. Plot details remain under wraps, but the film promises to continue the found-footage horror legacy.
Franchise Background
The Paranormal Activity series, which began with the 2007 found-footage horror film directed by Oren Peli, has become a cornerstone of modern horror cinema. Made on a modest $15,000 budget, the original grossed nearly $194 million worldwide, launching a franchise that has earned over $900 million across seven films. Installments include Paranormal Activity 2 (2010), Paranormal Activity 3 (2011), Paranormal Activity 4 (2012), Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (2014), Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (2015), and the most recent, Next of Kin (2021).
Production Details
The upcoming film is a co-production and co-financing effort between Paramount Pictures and the newly merged Blumhouse-Atomic Monster entities. Paramount will handle worldwide distribution, with the project positioned as a priority development. James Wan, known for creating The Conjuring and Insidious franchises, steps in as producer alongside Jason Blum for Blumhouse-Atomic Monster. Oren Peli returns as producer for Solana Films, with Steven Schneider executive producing for Room 101, Inc. Additional executive producers include Michael Clear and Judson Scott for Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, with Alayna Glasthal overseeing.
Key Statements
James Wan 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 added: “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... 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.”
Paramount Pictures co-chairs Josh Greenstein and Dana Goldberg stated: “We’re thrilled to reignite the iconic ‘Paranormal Activity’ franchise with two of the horror genre’s most visionary talents, James and Jason.”
The Hollywood Reporter first broke the news of the project.
