It’s Friday the 13th, and horror fans have just received some incredible news: Jason Voorhees is coming back to theatres! According to an exclusive report from Deadline, a new Friday the 13th movie is officially in the works, with franchise veteran Steve Miner stepping behind the camera for the 13th installment. The film is targeting a 2027 release, marking the first theatrical Friday the 13th movie since the 2009 reboot.
Miner is a very exciting choice to direct the new movie. After working as an associate producer on the 1980 original Friday the 13th, he directed Jason’s first cinematic rampage in 1981’s Friday the 13th Part 2, then returned to introduce one of the most recognizable images in horror history: Jason Voorhees wearing his hockey mask in 1982’s Friday the 13th Part III. Now, more than four decades later, Miner is returning to the franchise to continue the legacy of the masked killer.
The new movie will be based on a screenplay by emerging screenwriter David Fliegel. In another interesting development, the production will return to the franchise’s independent roots, with the Barsamian family financing and producing the film through Horror, Inc., the company that controls the Friday the 13th franchise.
“For generations of fans, Jason’s identity is inseparable from the creative choices Steve Miner brought to the screen,” said Robbie Barsamian, Executive Vice President of Horror, Inc. “Reuniting with Steve under a fully independent model allows us the creative control to honor what makes Jason the greatest slasher of all time and deliver the definitive theatrical event that today’s audiences expect.”
Miner is understandably enthusiastic about getting another opportunity to work with Jason. “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. 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.”
Miner’s directing career extends well beyond Camp Crystal Lake. He went on to helm several other notable genre films, including the horror comedy House (1985), the fantasy horror film Warlock (1989), and the creature feature favorite Lake Placid (1999). He also directed Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998), which allowed him to work with another legendary slasher icon, Michael Myers, as well as the zombie film Day of the Dead (2008). His other feature credits include the comedy Soul Man (1986), the romantic fantasy Forever Young (1992), and the family drama Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken (1991). On television, Miner directed episodes of such popular series as The Wonder Years, Dawson’s Creek, Smallville, and Psych.
The new Friday the 13th movie will have some significant industry backing. CatchLight Studios, the production company behind A24’s Heretic and Sandra Oh’s Umma, has been named Horror, Inc.’s production partner. Meanwhile, Cineverse has secured North American distribution rights, including theatrical distribution. Cineverse has found major success with the Terrifier sequels.
“Jason is one of the most recognizable figures in cinema history. We have a proven track record of empowering uncompromising genre filmmaking and connecting it directly with passionate audiences, and are honored to be a part of bringing Jason back to theatres where he belongs,” said Chris McGurk, Chairman and CEO of Cineverse.
CatchLight Studios Co-Founder Jeanette Volturno also emphasized the filmmakers’ commitment to practical effects. “Bringing an icon like Jason back to the screen requires dedication to craft and a deep respect for the fandom. We’re excited to collaborate with Steve and Robbie to create a practically-shot film that is relentless, cinematic and terrifying.”
The announcement arrives during an especially busy period for the Friday the 13th franchise. Peacock and A24 recently brought the property back to television with Crystal Lake, a prequel series featuring Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees and Callum Vinson as a young Jason. All eight episodes premiered on October 15, and the series reportedly generated 1.3 billion minutes viewed during its first 11 days, according to Nielsen. That’s enough to give Peacock its fourth-best debut for a scripted original series.
There was also recently Mike P. Nelson’s Sweet Revenge, a short film commemorating the 45th anniversary of the franchise, as Jason Universe continues expanding the property. Horror, Inc. launched Jason Universe in 2024 as a way of ushering in a new era for the iconic slasher.
The franchise has certainly had a complicated journey getting back to theaters. The last theatrical installment was Marcus Nispel’s 2009 Friday the 13th, which starred Derek Mears as Jason and earned nearly $92 million worldwide. Development hell and legal complications surrounding the property subsequently kept a new movie from moving forward for years.
Now, with Crystal Lake introducing Jason to a new generation and Steve Miner returning to the director’s chair, the franchise is finally preparing for its next big screen chapter.
The original Friday the 13th, directed by Sean S. Cunningham, was made independently for approximately $550,000 before becoming a major success and launching a franchise that has grossed nearly $450 million worldwide across its movies. It all started with a group of counselors preparing to reopen Camp Crystal Lake, only to discover that someone had other plans for the summer. Initially, the killer was Pamela Voorhees, but Jason eventually became one of the most iconic figures in horror cinema.
And now, the man responsible for giving us Jason’s earliest killing sprees is coming back to direct his next theatrical adventure. Welcome back, Steve Miner! Friday the 13th fans have waited a long time for this one. Hopefully, 2027 will finally bring the return of Jason Voorhees to the big screen!