The Witchcraft franchise is getting three more sequels, but these upcoming films are not directly connected to Witchcraft XVIII: The Lanterne of Light, which we have been following the development of in recent months. Filmmaker Jason Paul Collum has written, produced, and directed a separate trilogy that continues the story of the original 1988 Witchcraft, bringing back familiar faces from the long-running horror series while introducing a new generation of characters.
The trilogy consists of Witchcraft XIX: Our Father, expected to arrive in early 2027; Witchcraft XX: 40 Years Later, scheduled for January 2028; and Witchcraft XXI: Brotherhood of Saints, currently targeting a July 28, 2028 release. The first two films were shot this past summer, while production on the third is planned for early 2027.
Collum, who previously directed the documentary Screaming in High Heels: The Rise & Fall of the Scream Queen Era, is joined on the trilogy by veteran horror producer David S. Sterling. The new films follow warlock Will Spanner, now played by Michael Newby, and explore how his past actions throughout the franchise continue to affect his family. That includes his 17-year-old daughter Miracle, played by Aurelia Despin (Mark of the Devil VII), who is developing into a witch herself, and his wife Elia, played by Tina Ona Paukstelis.
Although the three movies share an overarching storyline, each has its own subject and central theme.
Witchcraft XIX: Our Father focuses on single mothers being murdered by their own daughters. The story explores mother-daughter relationships, particularly in families where the father is absent, and the anger children can direct toward the people who care for them most.
Witchcraft XX: 40 Years Later turns its attention to the sins of the father, examining how Will Spanner’s past actions have affected his immediate family. The story follows the family’s struggle to deal with that trauma and asks whether Will can find forgiveness from Miracle and Elia.
Finally, Witchcraft XXI: Brotherhood of Saints looks at the challenges facing parents who become empty nesters. With their child no longer at the center of their lives, they must discover a new purpose and figure out who they can rely on when terrible things begin to happen. The film will also bring back several actors and characters from the franchise, with Collum teasing appearances that should excite longtime fans.
The new movies acknowledge the events of the previous Witchcraft installments rather than wiping the slate clean. However, Collum says viewers won’t need to have watched the entire franchise to follow the trilogy. As he explained to Rue Morgue, the films don’t deny that the other 18 movies happened, but they won’t spend too much time worrying about those earlier storylines. Important details will be explained when necessary.
The cast brings together a mix of younger performers and veteran genre favorites. Among the recognizable names are Brinke Stevens (The Slumber Party Massacre), Judith O’Dea (Night of the Living Dead), Michelle Bauer (Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-o-Rama), Melanie Kinnaman (Friday the 13th: A New Beginning), Tina Ona Paukstelis (What Happened to Dorothy Bell?), Karen Dilloo (Safe Inside), and Darcey Vanderhoef (October Moon).
The films also feature Aurelia Despin as Miracle and Michael Newby as Will Spanner.
All three movies will contain Easter eggs referencing horror classics and earlier entries in the Witchcraft series. Collum singled out The Boogey Man, Deadly Blessing, When a Stranger Calls, The Exorcist, and Rosemary’s Baby as influences and sources of tributes. He also promised a loving nod to the late Julie Strain, who appeared in Witchcraft IV: Virgin Heart and passed away in 2021.
The Witchcraft series has a reputation for the nudity and sex that became part of its identity beginning with 1989’s Witchcraft II: The Temptress. Collum says this trilogy takes a different approach, placing a greater emphasis on characterization, emotional depth, and storytelling. That direction, he points out, is closer to the original 1988 film, which contained no nudity or sex.
Collum told Rue Morgue that the movies will still deliver gore, scares, suspense, and magic, but he hopes audiences will remember the characters and their family relationships after the end credits. He also wants the films to surprise critics who might not expect much from the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first entries in a direct-to-video horror franchise.
The current release targets are early 2027 for Witchcraft XIX: Our Father, January 2028 for Witchcraft XX: 40 Years Later, and July 28, 2028 for Witchcraft XXI: Brotherhood of Saints. The plan is for limited festival and theatrical screenings, followed by a physical media release through MakeFlix.com. The films are then expected to become available through Amazon and other streaming platforms.
Fans can follow production and release updates through the Witchcraft 19, 20 & 21: 40th Anniversary Trilogy Facebook group.
With multiple sequels planned, a new generation of characters, and some familiar horror faces returning, the Witchcraft franchise is preparing for a busy few years. Will you be keeping up with all of the Witchcraft action we’ll be seeing over the next couple of years? Let us know by leaving a comment below.