Horror’s most successful power players are joining forces to resurrect one of the genre’s most profitable franchises. James Wan and Jason Blum are partnering with Paramount Pictures to develop a new “Paranormal Activity” film—the first since 2021’s underwhelming “Next of Kin.”
The Dream Team Assembles
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the project brings together an impressive lineup of horror credentials. Wan, the visionary behind “The Conjuring” universe and the original “Saw,” will produce alongside Blum through their newly merged Blumhouse-Atomic Monster banner.
Paramount is attached as co-financer, co-producer, and distributor—a significant commitment that signals the studio’s confidence in reviving the franchise. Original “Paranormal Activity” director Oren Peli will also produce through Solana Films, while Room 101 Inc.’s Steven Schneider executive produces alongside Blumhouse-Atomic Monster’s Michael Clear and Judson Scott.
Why This Matters
For Wan, “Paranormal Activity” represents new territory. Despite his extensive horror resume spanning “Insidious,” “Malignant,” and even the “Aquaman” films, he’s never worked with the franchise’s particular brand of supernatural entities and found-footage terror.
“I’ve been a huge admirer of Paranormal Activity since the brilliant first movie, with its creeping slow burn and subtle ability to make the unseen terrifying,” Wan said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to expanding on its legacy and helping shape the next evolution of this scary found-footage franchise.”
The Franchise’s Remarkable Origins
The original “Paranormal Activity” remains one of the most successful low-budget films in history. Shot for approximately $15,000 in 2007, the film earned just under $200 million globally—a return on investment that’s virtually unheard of in modern cinema. Its success came from committing fully to its found-footage aesthetic, letting tension build slowly, and understanding that what you don’t see is often more terrifying than what you do.
That formula spawned multiple sequels before the franchise took a break with 2015’s “Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension.” The series attempted a comeback with 2021’s “Next of Kin,” positioned as something of a soft reboot for Paramount+. Unfortunately, the film failed to gain traction with critics (earning a 4/10 from various outlets) or audiences, raising questions about whether the franchise still had life.
A Fresh Start with Proven Talent
Blum’s enthusiasm for partnering with Wan is palpable: “Diving in with James for this exciting rebirth of the franchise that started it all for Blumhouse is exactly what we dreamed of when we merged with Atomic Monster. I’ll be actively involved with him to introduce this new chapter. Thankfully, we’re able to spend a little more than the $15,000 we had on the first movie, but one thing will remain the same—do not see it alone.”
That final warning—”do not see it alone”—became synonymous with the original film’s marketing and speaks to the franchise’s unique ability to create genuine fear in domestic settings. The horror of “Paranormal Activity” isn’t exotic locations or elaborate monsters; it’s the terror of what might be lurking in your own bedroom at night.
What We Don’t Know Yet
Details about the creative team, plot, and release date remain under wraps. It’s unclear whether this new installment will acknowledge the continuity of previous films or start completely fresh. Given “Next of Kin’s” attempt at soft-rebooting the franchise, a clean slate might be the wisest approach.
What is clear is that the project is a “priority for both Paramount and Blumhouse-Atomic Monster,” suggesting it will receive the resources and attention needed to properly relaunch the series.
The Broader Context
The timing is interesting for several reasons. Found-footage horror has cycled in and out of fashion since “The Blair Witch Project” proved the format’s viability in 1999. “Paranormal Activity” perfected the approach for the digital age, but the market has since been flooded with imitators of varying quality.
Can Wan and Blum find a way to make found-footage feel fresh again in 2025 and beyond? With the proliferation of doorbell cameras, security systems, and ubiquitous smartphone footage, the format might actually be more relevant than ever. The challenge is making it scary when audiences are so accustomed to seeing low-quality, shaky camera footage in their daily lives.
What Made It Work Originally
The original “Paranormal Activity” succeeded because it understood restraint. Most of the film is mundane footage of a couple sleeping, with only brief, subtle disturbances suggesting something supernatural. The film trusted audiences to fill in the blanks with their own fears rather than showing too much.
That approach earned the film an 8/10 review from many critics upon release, and it was later recognized as one of the best haunted house movies of its era. The question is whether modern audiences, raised on more explicit horror imagery and jump-scare-heavy films, will embrace a return to that slower-burn approach.
Looking Ahead
Beyond the film, “Paranormal Activity” continues expanding its presence. An official video game is set to launch in 2026, suggesting a broader strategy to keep the franchise relevant across multiple media.
For now, horror fans can take comfort knowing that two of the genre’s most successful creative minds are working to resurrect a franchise that, at its best, reminded us that the scariest things are often the ones we can’t quite see. Just remember Jason Blum’s advice: whatever you do, don’t watch it alone.
