2 Surprising Horror Franchises Making a Comeback

The horror genre continues to thrive on the resurgence of legacy sequels and reboots, breathing new life into iconic franchises. It’s therefore not surprising to see two less likely horror franchises making a comeback. The trend in the film industry has shown significant gains from reviving old franchises, particularly in horror, although not every reboot has met with success. For instance, series like The Exorcist and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre returned with mediocre performances, while others like Friday the 13th are currently facing challenges that hinder their revival.

Conversely, franchises such as Halloween and Scream have thrived under this trend, with several new installments boosting their legacy. Promising new developments are also underway for The Exorcist. It was anticipated that these beloved franchises would eventually receive updated versions, but the revival of I Know What You Did Last Summer and Final Destination came as surprising yet sensible additions to this list.

Revival of I Know What You Did Last Summer & Final Destination

Two Slasher Franchises Making a Comeback

Scene from I Still Know What You Did Last Summer

The cast of I Know What You Did Last Summer

Julie and Karla from I Know What You Did Last Summer

Jennifer Love Hewitt in I Still Know What You Did Last Summer

Starting its journey in 2000, Final Destination introduced audiences to its unique premise through the character Alex Browning (played by Devon Sawa), who has a terrifying premonition of a plane disaster. Upon surviving the incident, Alex and his fellow classmates discover that they have disrupted Death’s intended design, resulting in a series of increasingly bizarre fatalities. Despite facing poor reviews, Final Destination quickly became a box-office success, leading to four sequels. The last entry, Final Destination 5, released in 2011, was believed to conclude the franchise. However, a sixth installment titled Final Destination: Bloodlines was announced in 2019. Directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, with a script provided by Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor, anticipation is high.

Details surrounding Bloodlines indicate a departure from the franchise’s well-known formula, drafting in the lives of first responders and emergency personnel familiar with death, who now find themselves in its inevitable path. Furthermore, Tony Todd returns to shed light on the character William Bludworth’s backstory.

Final Destination: Bloodlines is scheduled for release on May 16, 2025, which adds to the excitement for fans, especially with Todd’s participation after his passing on November 6, 2024.

The I Know What You Did Last Summer franchise began with Lois Duncan’s 1973 novel and its subsequent adaptation into the popular 1997 slasher film. The story features a group of friends—Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt), Ray Bronson (Freddie Prinze Jr.), Helen Shivers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), and Barry Cox (Ryan Phillippe)—who, after a tragic accident, are stalked by a mysterious figure seeking vengeance.

Despite mixed critical reception, the film performed well at the box office, prompting a sequel, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, in 1998, followed by a straight-to-video sequel and a TV series in 2021.

Production for a new sequel to I Know What You Did Last Summer was announced in early 2023, directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, with Sam Lansky collaborating on the screenplay. While the plot remains under wraps, it will reportedly connect back to the second film, incorporating themes of social media. The cast includes Jonah Hauer-King, Billy Campbell, and Nichols Alexander Chavez, alongside Hewitt and Prinze Jr., who are set to reprise their roles. Currently, the release is slated for July 18, 2025.

The Unlikeliness of These Reboots

The Horror Genre’s Unpredictability

Plane Crash Scene from Final Destination

Both I Know What You Did Last Summer and Final Destination are surprising entries for revival due to their past performances. I Know What You Did Last Summer was not considered a standout slasher of the 1990s, and even its original author criticized its divergence from her novel. With mixed reviews and a lackluster sequel, the franchise seemed to have dwindled.

Additionally, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer faced an even harsher reception, ultimately leading to a halt in its theatrical journey. The poorly received 2006 standalone sequel and the 2021 TV series further dimmed the franchise’s reputation, making a reboot seem unlikely.

Similarly, the long-awaited sixth installment of Final Destination was unexpected, especially after such a lengthy hiatus. Yet, the franchise maintains a loyal fan base eager for fresh narrative angles. Observing how these two films will bridge their respective narratives with new directions adds to the intrigue.

Hollywood’s Attraction to Horror Reboots

Leverage from Recent Successes

The resurgence of I Know What You Did Last Summer and Final Destination reflects how horror reboots are perceived as safe bets for studios. The profitability through nostalgia plays a key role; even films that do not perform well critically can achieve box office success driven by curiosity. The triumphant returns of franchises like Scream serve as a model that studios seek to emulate for future projects.

Given this environment, it would not be surprising to witness the revival of other lesser-known horror franchises should these two projects succeed. The path to successfully rebooting horror lies in balancing new narratives while embracing the legacy of previous installments, ensuring that both old fans and new audiences are catered to.

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