Halloween’s coming!

And this week’s horror drops are stacked with lessons in fear and franchise power. What happens when TRICK ’R TREAT returns to theaters after 17 years? Can THE BLACK PHONE 2 avoid the sequel curse? And is THE CONJURING: LAST RITES really the end…or just the start of something darker?

IN THEATERS

TRICK 'R TREAT Returns to Theaters – October 14 & 16

The cult classic TRICK 'R TREAT is back in theaters for two nights only. This anthology film, set on Halloween night, intertwines multiple spooky tales, each featuring the mischievous Sam. Its theatrical re-release is generating excitement among horror enthusiasts eager to experience it on the big screen once again.

 BLACK PHONE 2 – In Theaters October 17

The sequel to the 2021 hit BLACK PHONE is set to open on October 17, 2025. The original film was well-received for its chilling atmosphere and compelling storyline. Fans are anticipating whether the sequel can capture the same level of suspense and terror.

PARANORMAN: THE THRIFTING – October 25–28

Our boy Norman’s back — and this time, he’s haunting the clearance rack. Laika’s cult gem PARANORMAN returns to theaters October 25–28, remastered in 2D and 3D, with a brand-new short, THE THRIFTING. Word is it’s packed with the same ghoulish heart and weird humor that made the original a sleeper classic. Think THE GOONIES meets GHOST WORLD, but with more corpses and clay. With CORALINE already resurrected on big screens, Laika’s clearly digging up its greatest hits, and honestly, we’re here for the exhumation.

THE CONJURING: LAST RIGHTS - END OF THE HAUNTED UNIVERSE

This week, THE CONJURING: LAST RITES hits digital platforms — likely soon to hit streaming — marking what many are calling the “last ritual” in the expansive Conjuring Universe. After years of spin-offs (ANNABELLE, THE CROOKED MAN, THE NUN) and crossovers, the Warrens’ saga is being framed as complete, offering a moment to reassess: what does it mean to close the door on one of the biggest haunted-house franchises ever?

For starters, LAST RITES seems designed to bind every loose spirit in the franchise into one culminating exorcism. Narrative threads from possessed dolls, haunted artifacts, and demonic claims are all drawn together. Now the question: do you end with peace, or leave the ghost stories always just a step away? The outcome will influence how studios treat horror IPs going forward.

Second: closing a universe invites deconstruction. With the Conjuring world “finished,” future horror can lean into subtle hauntings, fractured mythos, or unreliable narrators — horror without franchise scaffolding. Think HALLOWEEN ENDS(2019) or ALIEN: COVENANT — endings that reverse their own mythology.

Third: the commercial reckoning. The Conjuring Universe was a rare horror franchise that consistently banked hundreds of millions. Its finale tests whether mass audience appetite still holds for connected supernatural mythologies. If it falters, future studios might shy away from ambitious serialized horror in favor of isolated shock pieces.

So while October’s screened houses still groan with ghosts, LAST RITES reminds us that some horrors stay long after the credits roll. 

KISHKINDHAPURI: SOUTH ASIAN HORROR BREAKS OUT

The Telugu horror film KISHKINDHAPURI, starring Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas and Anupama Parameswaran, is set for its OTT release on ZEE5 starting October 17, 2025. Following a successful theatrical run beginning September 12, this supernatural thriller is part of a broader movement: South Asian horror is now claiming global attention in a Halloween season traditionally dominated by Western fare.

KISHKINDHAPURI is rooted in regional myth, blending folklore, suspense, and visceral horror. Its story follows a small-town investigator drawn into a series of inexplicable deaths linked to an ancient curse. The film balances jump scares with psychological dread, using cinematography and sound design to immerse viewers in its unsettling universe. The result is horror that feels culturally specific yet universally affecting, as it taps into fears of the unknown and ancestral secrets.

Critics have praised the film’s ambition and technical craft. Variety highlighted its “careful tension-building and inventive use of local mythos,” while The Hindu applauded the performances of Sai Sreenivas and Parameswaran for lending emotional depth to the supernatural narrative. Meanwhile, audiences on social media and Reddit have been buzzing with discussions, particularly around its inventive curse mechanics and the eerie production design, noting it as “the most refreshing horror I’ve seen this year” and “a perfect blend of scares and story.”

For horror fans, KISHKINDHAPURI represents more than a new release: it’s a chance to engage with a storytelling perspective often overlooked in the global genre market. As Halloween approaches, watching this film provides a timely reminder that fear can be culturally rich, visually inventive, and narratively bold — proving horror’s power extends beyond familiar territory. Whether you’re looking for scares, folklore, or cinematic flair, KISHKINDHAPURI delivers all three, and positions South Asian horror as a vital voice in the 2025 Halloween season.

• To advertise in Daily Grindhouse, contact: [email protected]

Join Daily Grindhouse Patreon Today and Get 5 FREE Books Instantly…

Book #1 - 50 Cult Movie Books Every Fan Should Own!

Book #2 - Daily Grindhouse’s Top 50 Movie Characters oxf All Time!

Book #3 - Freddy Kreuger’s Top 50 Adversaries!

Book #4 - Daily Grindhouse on Mike Flanagan!

Book #5 - Daily Grindhouse’s Shark Movie Feast!

Click Here To Get Your FREE Books!