As Luke Skywalker wisely observed, “No one’s ever really gone,” and that’s certainly true when it comes to horror franchises. If a horror title has even a little bit of earning potential, a producer will almost certainly revive it for a new audience. We’ve seen this with countless direct-to-video sequels like those in the Children of the Corn and Hellraiser series, which demonstrate how far studios will go to profit from familiar horror properties. The continued existence of the Saw franchise is another example, and the upcoming Hostel TV show proves that no successful horror saga is ever truly finished.
Even though studios keep attempting to bring back popular horror franchises, it’s not always a good idea. Some series are better left untouched. A prime example is The Blair Witch Project, which is getting another installment despite already facing significant creative challenges.
Let The Blair Witch Rest In Peace
It’s surprising Lionsgate is still trying to make another Blair Witch movie, considering previous sequels haven’t done well. Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, released just over a year after the original Blair Witch Project in 2000, was a box office failure. And in 2016, Adam Wingard’s Blair Witch also didn’t meet expectations. These attempts have shown that sequels don’t capture the original’s magic and that the Blair Witch name alone isn’t enough to draw audiences to theaters.
It’s a big mistake to underestimate the impact of The Blair Witch Project. It was the first widely-released, English-language film presented as ‘found footage,’ and it pioneered the use of viral internet marketing. Crucially, the film’s effectiveness came from its self-contained scares and unsettling ambiguity, which would be lost by revisiting the same woods. The Blair Witch Project is a true masterpiece, and the unique elements that made it special are impossible to replicate.
It’s strange to revisit the found footage style of horror, especially since the genre has largely faded. These days, if a film uses this technique, it’s usually presented as if it’s happening on computer or phone screens. After a brief revival with films like Cloverfield and Paranormal Activity, audiences quickly lost interest – as proven by the poor performance of the latest Blair Witch movie. Simply revisiting the story of The Blair Witch Project wouldn’t be enough to bring found footage back, and honestly, the horror genre is doing well enough without it.
Bringing Back Dormant Horror Movie Franchises Isn’t a Recipe for Success
It’s odd that Lionsgate and Blumhouse are considering another Blair Witch Project movie, because it doesn’t seem like a smart business move. While the recent success of films like the 2018 Halloween and 2022 Scream might be inspiring them, those movies did well because of their established brands, not because any old horror franchise can suddenly guarantee huge profits.
Recently, Blumhouse has had mixed results with revivals of classic horror franchises. While 2023’s The Exorcist: Believer didn’t perform well in theaters and plans for a trilogy were scrapped, and the Wolf Man remake was a complete failure, some projects like Final Destination Bloodlines and The Conjuring: Last Rites were profitable. However, even these successes didn’t reach the financial heights of previous films in those series, or the existing Blair Witch sequels. This shows that simply having a well-known title doesn’t guarantee box office success, despite what many in the film industry believe.
Any future Blair Witch movies will also have to deal with the ongoing issues surrounding the original actors claiming they weren’t fairly paid for their work on the 1999 film. It would be difficult to create a nostalgic sequel that celebrates the past when the original actors feel mistreated—it’s similar to if the 2018 Halloween movie had to launch with Jamie Lee Curtis publicly disputing her original salary. While the first Blair Witch Project remains a remarkable and innovative horror film, its classic status doesn’t justify continually milking it as a franchise. The two unsuccessful sequels prove the point: it’s best to leave the Blair Witch story alone.
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2025-12-29 00:41