Jason Voorhees is officially returning to movie theaters for the first time in nearly two decades. On Friday, November 13, 2026, franchise rights holder Horror, Inc. announced that a new feature film is in development for a planned 2027 theatrical release, according to Deadline. The untitled project brings back veteran director Steve Miner, the filmmaker responsible for establishing several of the slasher series' most enduring visual signatures in the early 1980s. Screenwriter David Fliegel has penned the script for the upcoming installment.

The feature will be independently financed and produced by the Barsamian family through their company Horror, Inc., with CatchLight Studios aboard as a production partner. Cineverse has secured North American distribution rights, including a theatrical commitment. While the official announcement via Morningstar, Inc.

states the film is slated for a global theatrical release in 2027, initial reports from TheWrap and Dread Central note that an international distribution partner outside of North America has not yet been disclosed.

A Franchise Pioneer Steps Back Behind the Camera

For longtime followers of the slasher genre, the attachment of 75-year-old Steve Miner represents a major creative reunion. Miner served as an associate producer on the original Friday the 13th before stepping into the director's chair for Friday the 13th Part II in 1981 and Friday the 13th Part III in 1982. Those two sequels fundamentally shaped the characterization of Jason Voorhees, with Part II marking Jason's debut as the main antagonist wielding a machete and Part III introducing his trademark white hockey mask.

In a statement accompanying the announcement, Miner reflected on the longevity of the character's design.

"When I put the hockey mask on Jason for Friday the 13th Part III, I knew it would create a truly scary image that would work for that movie," Miner stated. "I had no idea that it would live on as one of the most iconic symbols in horror films. I'm thrilled to come back and continue the legacy."

Robbie Barsamian, Executive Vice President of Horror, Inc. and producer on the new project, emphasized the importance of Miner's involvement. "For generations of fans, Jason's identity is inseparable from the creative choices Steve Miner brought to the screen," Barsamian said. He added that working with Miner under an independent production framework gives the team the creative control necessary to deliver a theatrical event tailored to modern horror audiences.

Returning to Independent Roots and Practical Effects

The upcoming movie marks a structural shift away from the major studio system that oversaw previous entries. As noted by Dread Central, past studio stakeholders such as Paramount, New Line Cinema, and Warner Bros.

have no listed production role in this feature. Instead, the project returns to the independent financing model that launched the original series. Barsamian told TheWrap that he represents the third generation of his family to oversee the property; his grandfather and two business partners originally owned movie theaters and independently funded and produced the first eight films before licensing four subsequent theatrical entries and a 2017 video game.

Partnering with Horror, Inc. is CatchLight Studios, the production banner behind genre titles such as A24's Heretic and the Sandra Oh-led horror film Umma. CatchLight Co-Founder Jeanette Volturno stated that the team is collaborating with Miner and Barsamian to construct a "practically-shot film that is relentless, cinematic and terrifying."

North American distribution will be handled by Cineverse, a company that has recently demonstrated considerable box-office traction in the independent horror space through its releases of the Terrifier sequels.

Cineverse Chairman and CEO Chris McGurk noted that the distributor is focused on backing uncompromising genre filmmaking and connecting it directly with theatergoers.

While the production partners have kept the official title, plot synopsis, and cast list under wraps, Barsamian indicated that significant work has already taken place. In remarks shared by Empire and TheWrap, Barsamian spoke about the production in the past tense regarding its on-set execution, calling the assembled cast "fantastic" and describing the project as the "scariest and most brutal movie we've ever made." He noted that the creative team relied on practical effects, classic slasher pacing, and fan feedback to design a new hockey mask aimed at pleasing longtime enthusiasts.

The Expanding 'Jason Universe' After a 17-Year Cinematic Hiatus

The last time Jason Voorhees appeared in theaters was the 2009 reboot produced by New Line Cinema and Platinum Dunes. In the years following that release, the franchise was stalled by complex legal and rights disputes among various stakeholders.

With those roadblocks cleared, Horror, Inc. established the "Jason Universe" banner in 2024 to coordinate new multimedia projects across television, video games, and film.

The 2027 theatrical feature follows a period of renewed activity for the brand in 2026, as highlighted by The Verge. Earlier this fall, Peacock and A24 released Crystal Lake, an eight-episode prequel series that premiered on October 15 starring Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees and Callum Vinson as a young Jason. The franchise also commemorated its 45th anniversary with Sweet Revenge, a short film directed by Mike P. Nelson, alongside video game integrations in titles like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Dead by Daylight.

Industry coverage differs slightly on how the new movie is categorized within the broader franchise canon. According to the official press release via Morningstar, Inc.

, the project is billed as the 13th feature film centered on the hockey-masked killer, while outlets like Empire refer to it directly as the 13th Friday the 13th movie, and Dread Central frames it as a new "Jason Universe film." Regardless of the naming convention, the project serves as the primary theatrical anchor for the revitalized horror property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who will play Jason Voorhees, and what is the plot of the new film?

Horror, Inc. and CatchLight Studios have not yet announced the cast, including the actor portraying Jason Voorhees, nor have they released an official title or plot synopsis. It remains unconfirmed whether the David Fliegel script functions as a standalone story, a reboot, or a direct sequel to Miner's early 1980s installments.

When is the exact release date, and what is the filming status?

An exact 2027 calendar date has not been revealed. While no official production start date or filming location was included in the November 13 press release, producer Robbie Barsamian's comments to TheWrap referencing his time monitoring shots on set and praising the cast's performance indicate that principal photography has already been underway.

Does the new movie connect to the Peacock series 'Crystal Lake'?

Both projects fall under the broader Jason Universe banner managed by Horror, Inc., but producers have not indicated any narrative crossover between the A24/Peacock prequel television series and Steve Miner's upcoming theatrical feature.

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