It looks like we haven't seen the last of beloved children’s properties receiving dark and twisted reimaginings. Recently, we've seen horror reimaginings of Winnie-the-Pooh, Peter Pan, Bambi, Mickey Mouse and Steamboat Willie. This time it's Aladdin, reimagined as a nightmarish fable where every wish comes with a deadly cost. If you're looking forward to a haunting take on a classic fairytale, this eerie version of Aladdin is about to make your wishes darker than ever before!
It's a horror film titled Aladdin: The Monkey’s Paw, and it's coming from Empire Studios, Every Entertainment, and 8th Law Pictures. Bradley Stryker, who is best known for starring in Terrifier 3, is signed on as director and producer, and will also star. He will direct from a screenplay written by Charley McDougall, who is also a producer on the film. Other producers include Jamie McLeod-Ross and Nick Sagar, while Rustin Matthew, Terry Bird, and Arthur Corber are executive producers.
The story follows Aladdin, a young man from modern-day London, who comes into possession of an ancient monkey's paw said to grant wishes. But he soon learns that each wish comes with a devastating cost. As those close to him fall prey to its curse, he finds himself having to face an increasingly powerful and dangerous evil that thrives on the negative outcomes and suffering caused by those wishes. But will he be able to put a stop to the demonic force before it consumes everything? The only way to find out is to watch this upcoming horror flick when it is released.
Unfortunately, a release date has not been announced yet. However, the cameras are reportedly set to start rolling in late May 2025 in the United Kingdom. Joining Stryker in the cast are Nick Sagar (Queen of the South), Ricky Norwood (EastEnders), and Montana Manning (Hollyoaks). It's unknown what characters they will be playing, but their involvement has definitely sparked excitement.
Here's what writer-producer Charley McDougall had to say about making this film via Deadline:
"We always wanted to explore horror through a personal lens — not just the scares, but the human cost of wishes. This story’s been haunting us for a while, and it’s time to let it loose. The best horror films haunt you long after the credits roll. That’s what this story does. It’s sharp, emotional, and full of dread in all the right ways. We’re not just making another horror film — we’re building a world around a truly iconic concept. The paw, the mythology, the characters — it’s all there."
Director and producer Bradley Stryker also expressed his excitement about making the horror movie.
"This film will be so much fun — it’s all about the peaks and valleys; the highs of lows of what we deem our dreams and desires… and then we slam that into a genre film in which the stakes have never been more diabolical and entertaining.”
This is all we know about Aladdin: The Monkey’s Paw at the moment. As we learn new information, we'll make sure to come back and share everything. But for now, stay tuned to 1428 Elm!