Myers Monday: Why the new Halloween will change horror forever

With the new Halloween arriving in less than a month, anticipation couldn’t be higher for the Blumhouse release. Here’s why it’ll be a game changer.

The new Halloween is going to be big….but how big?

The Night HE Comes Back

After years dormant — unless you count the Rob Zombie experiment — the Halloween franchise is back and preparing for war. Both old and new comers are hitting Haddonfield, bringing a new Michael Myers madventure hitting theaters Oct. 19. With so much anticipation for the new film, will David Gordon Green’s Halloween be more good than bad for the genre? I’m thinking good. In fact, I think it’ll change horror forever….

Halloween — Courtesy of Blumhouse

Madness Brings Money

More from Halloween

• 31 Days of Horror: The secrets of The Nightmare Before Christmas!
• Is David Gordon Green’s sequel to The Exorcist doomed to fail?
• Where can I stream the original Halloween and all of its sequels?
• 31 Days of Horror Movies: Halloween Ends, I Bet I’m About to Offend You
• Interview with Michele Dawson, Nurse Deb in Halloween Ends

When taking a look at the trailer hits, social media impression and overall chatter in daily interactions, the reality of Halloween becomes clear. Seemingly everywhere you turn, from the deepest corner of your favorite convenience store to any horror group on Facebook, you’re hearing about the Boogeyman. It’s not a stretch to think Michael Myers’ return will yield one of the biggest box office returns for a horror picture in years.

And when that happens, things will change forever.

Let’s look at last year’s IT. With a budget of $35 million, the Stephen King adaptation went to gross a stunning $700 million worldwide — over fifty percent coming domestically. In its aftermath, a slew of Stephen King projects are coming or already here. Hulu’s Castle Rock, the upcoming Shining sequel and Netflix’s growing Maine catalog are just a few examples.

While I’m not suggesting Halloween will make hundreds of millions worldwide, I am suggesting it’ll will demolish expectations. And when that happens, what’s next?

Boogie With The Boogieman

When Halloween shatters the box office, the ripple effect will be huge. A staple of the genre’s heyday, Michael Myers is an important figure in the genre. After the Blumhouse movie opens, studios and producers will be gunning for any way to bring back your favorite horror character.

Expect a new Elm Street, with Robert Englund possibly extending his upcoming The Goldberg’s appearance into a new feature. Also, although it’s currently tied up in litigation, I’m predicting a new Friday the 13th will be born from Halloween’s massive profits.

And the tip top of horror isn’t only getting love after October. I wouldn’t be surprised if the long-gestured Hellraiser reboot isn’t pushed forward, with series like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (let’s forget Leatherface) and Scream possibly to follow. Because if there’s one thing I know about the business, producers always follow the money — and it’s about to be blood money.

Halloween stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Andi Matichak and Judy Greer. David Gordon Green directs a screenplay from Green, Danny McBride and Jeff Fradley. Blumhouse Productions produces, with Universal Pictures distributing. Michael Myers returns for more tricks Oct.19, 2018.

Looking forward to the return of Michael Myers? Think the new Halloween will change the genre? Let the other Smith’s Grove Inmates know what you think in the comment section below.