Horror fans have reason to celebrate, with Jason Voorhees officially preparing to return to the big screen. A new Friday the 13th feature film is in development, with legendary franchise filmmaker Steve Miner stepping back behind the camera for what will become the series’ 13th instalment.
Announced on Friday, November 13, the appropriately timed news marks a major milestone for the long-running horror franchise, which has been absent from cinemas since 2009. The upcoming film is targeting a 2027 release, bringing Jason back to theatres for the first time in nearly two decades.
Miner is a particularly fitting choice to lead the next chapter. The filmmaker previously directed Friday the 13th Part II (1981) and Friday the 13th Part III (1982), two instalments that helped establish Jason Voorhees as one of horror cinema’s most recognisable villains. The latter film also introduced Jason’s now-iconic hockey mask, an image that has become synonymous with the slasher genre.
The new film will be written by emerging screenwriter David Fliegel, with the Barsamian family financing and producing through Horror, Inc., the company behind the franchise. CatchLight Studios will serve as the production partner, while Cineverse has secured North American distribution rights, including theatrical distribution.
Speaking about his return, Miner reflected on the unexpected legacy of Jason’s iconic appearance.
“When I put the hockey mask on Jason for Friday the 13th Part III, I knew it would create a truly scary image that would work for that movie,” Miner said. “I had no idea that it would live on as one of the most iconic symbols in horror films. I’m thrilled to come back and continue the legacy.”
Horror, Inc. executive vice president Robbie Barsamian also highlighted the importance of bringing Miner back to the franchise, explaining that the filmmaker’s creative contributions helped shape Jason’s identity for generations of horror fans.
The production is also looking to reconnect with the franchise’s independent filmmaking roots, with the creative team emphasising a commitment to practical effects and the kind of visceral horror that helped make the original films enduring favourites.
The announcement arrives during an exciting period for the franchise. The recently launched Crystal Lake, a prequel television series from Peacock and A24 starring Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees, has brought the property back into the spotlight. The series explores the origins of the infamous Camp Crystal Lake and offers another opportunity to expand the mythology surrounding Jason and his family.
Meanwhile, the last theatrical instalment, Marcus Nispel’s Friday the 13th (2009), starred Derek Mears as Jason and grossed close to $92 million worldwide. Despite the commercial success, the franchise subsequently spent years navigating development difficulties and complicated rights issues that prevented another feature film from moving forward.
Now, with Miner returning to the director’s chair and a new film targeting 2027, Jason Voorhees is finally getting another opportunity to terrorise audiences on the big screen.
Plot details, casting announcements and an exact release date have yet to be revealed, but one thing is certain: the 13th Friday the 13th movie is shaping up to be a significant moment for one of horror’s most enduring franchises.
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