Late last month, we reported that brilliant writer-director Mike Flanagan had taken over directing duties for the upcoming installment of t Blumhouse’s The Exorcist franchise. Today, Universal and Blumhouse confirmed the release date for 2026. And while it’s far off, it’s still exciting news.
The movie comes after the release of The Exorcist: Believer in 2023, which was hated by critics and fans alike. Mike Flanagan’s Exorcist, however, promises a fresh start. Described as “an all-new story set in The Exorcist universe,” it will not be a sequel to the previous film. Plot details and casting remain under wraps, keeping fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this iconic horror franchise.
“Mike’s voice and vision are indispensable for horror fans,” said Jason Blum, head of Blumhouse Productions. Both Blum and David Robinson, Chairman of Morgan Creek, expressed their enthusiasm for Flanagan’s unique take on the “Exorcist” world.
This new direction allows Universal and Blumhouse to fulfill their original commitment of delivering additional Exorcist films, separate from the previous trilogy plans. With Flanagan at the helm, this untitled project promises to be a chilling cinematic experience for horror fans everywhere.
The project is personal for Flanagan.
“The Exorcist is one of the reasons I became a filmmaker, and it is an honor to have the chance to try something fresh, bold, and terrifying within its universe,” Flanagan said in a statement. “Reuniting with my friends at Blumhouse, with whom I’ve made some of my favorite pieces of work, only makes this more exciting.”
Mike Flanagan has earned his title as a “Master of Horror,” delivering films like Doctor Sleep and the chilling Netflix series “The Haunting of Hill House,” “Midnight Mass,” and “The Fall of the House of Usher,” all streaming on Netflix.
This isn’t the first time he’s teamed up with Blumhouse. Mike Flanagan previously directed critically acclaimed horror films like Oculus, Hush, and Ouija: Origin of Evil. Which were all under the Blumhouse banner, proving that the studio and director are a horror dream team.
Flanagan’s new entry in The Exorcist franchise will premiere exclusively in theaters on March 13, 2026. The creative team assembled for this project promises a thrilling new take on demonic possession. One thing is certain: with Flanagan at the helm, it will be good! Stay tuned for further updates as this exciting horror collaboration unfolds.