Horror fans and franchise aficionados have plenty to talk about this October, as a trio of chilling properties—old and new—are making headlines. From the near-completion of Peacock and A24’s highly anticipated Crystal Lake series to the bloody return of Black Phone 2, and a fresh look at how classic horror sequels stack up, the genre is alive and thriving in 2025.
On October 19, 2025, showrunner Brad Caleb Kane took to social media with a celebratory update for Friday the 13th devotees: filming for Season 1 of Crystal Lake is “almost sorta not quite done and dusted.” The wrap party, which Kane described as “epic,” was a moment of reflection and gratitude. “I’m madly in love with and totally in awe of this stellar bunch of artists and humans. A fella couldn’t ask for a more talented and wonderful group of collaborators,” Kane wrote, according to reporting from Bleeding Cool. The milestone comes roughly four months after Kane first announced that production on the prequel series had begun, marking a brisk and productive shoot for the much-buzzed-about show.
The cast of Crystal Lake brings together some familiar and fresh faces. Linda Cardellini headlines as Pamela Voorhees, the vengeful mother that horror fans know all too well. She’s joined by William Catlett (as Levon Brooks), Devin Kessler (Briana Brooks), Cameron Scoggins (Dorf), and Gwendolyn Sundstrom (Grace). The series also features Callum Vinson in the recurring role of Jason Voorhees, the hockey-masked icon, alongside Nick Cordileone (Ralph), Joy Suprano (Rita), Danielle Kotch (Claudette), and Phoenix Parnevik (Barry). With Kane at the helm as creator, showrunner, writer, and executive producer, and a production team including Marc Toberoff, Victor Miller, Rob Barsamian, and Stuart Manashil, expectations are high for a show that seeks to both honor and reinvent the legacy of Friday the 13th.
Kane’s passion for the project is palpable. “From the moment I watched Jason Voorhees squeeze a guy’s eyeball out of its socket (in glorious 3D!) at the tender age of 8 years old, I knew my creative path was someday destined to converge with The Man Behind The Mask,” he reminisced when his involvement was first announced. For Kane, the slasher genre’s golden age defined his childhood, and he’s eager to contribute a new chapter to an iconic franchise, especially with fearless partners like Peacock and A24 backing the vision.
The timing couldn’t be better for Crystal Lake to step into the spotlight, as horror sequels and franchises are enjoying renewed critical and commercial attention. A recent article, published on October 19, 2025, took a deep dive into the “best sixth films” in major movie franchises, shining a light on the enduring appeal—and sometimes surprising reinventions—of long-running series. At the top of the horror heap? Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986), described as the “ultimate” sequel for its self-aware humor and triumphant return of Jason Voorhees. The film famously parodied the James Bond franchise in its opening and marked a turning point where the series leaned into its own absurdity, delivering both brutal kills and a wink to the audience.
It’s not just the Friday the 13th franchise getting its due. The same ranking lauded Final Destination Bloodlines (2025), which landed in theaters earlier this year. While the supernatural slasher series has always had a loyal fanbase, Bloodlines was praised for its clever innovations and for pushing the franchise’s premise to new heights. With a spectacular skyscraper set piece and the return of Tony Todd in a memorable farewell, the film managed to thrill both newcomers and longtime fans alike. According to the article, “Bloodlines is thrilling and hilarious, and the characters are by far the most fleshed-out of the series.”
Other sixth entries making the cut include Fast & Furious 6 (2013), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009), Rocky Balboa (2006), Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning (2012), Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991), Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005), On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), and Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018). The list underscores a truth that horror and action fans know well: sometimes, it’s the later sequels that find a series’ true stride or offer a fresh perspective that rejuvenates the property.
Meanwhile, the horror genre’s appetite for sequels shows no sign of waning with the arrival of Black Phone 2, released on October 17, 2025. The film, a follow-up to the 2022 Blumhouse hit, has already garnered critical praise for its willingness to chart a new path while retaining the spirit of the original. Directed and co-written by Scott Derrickson (with C. Robert Cargill), the 114-minute R-rated (14A in Canada) thriller stars Mason Thames, Ethan Hawke, and Madeleine McGraw.
The story picks up four years after Finney Blake (Thames) escapes and kills The Grabber (Hawke). Life hasn’t been easy for Finney, but it’s his sister Gwen (McGraw) who takes center stage this time. She begins receiving calls in her dreams from the mysterious black phone and is haunted by visions of three boys being stalked at a winter camp. The siblings are drawn into a new mystery, confronting a killer whose power has only grown since death. As reported by keithlovesmovies.com, “this sequel is a worthy sequel that effectively takes this franchise in a completely new direction, while holding on to most of what made the first film so great.”
Director Derrickson is credited with setting an eerie, dread-filled tone, amplified by the film’s snowy camp setting—a classic horror backdrop that pays homage to genre staples like A Nightmare on Elm Street and Friday the 13th. Madeleine McGraw’s performance as Gwen has been singled out as a highlight, with the review noting she “absolutely crushes it.” While Thames’ Finney takes a backseat, the sibling dynamic grounds the film amid its supernatural scares. Ethan Hawke, though not as prominent as in the original, delivers a “truly menacing” turn as The Grabber, with a new demon design that ups the creep factor.
Supporting performances from Demián Bichir, Jeremy Davies, Miguel Mora, and Arianna Rivas round out the cast, each adding depth to the unfolding horror. The review does note that while Black Phone 2 is more brutal and scarier, it could have pushed the envelope even further. Still, it’s considered a strong entry in a year already stacked with quality horror films, proving that sequels can carve out their own identity and justify their existence—provided there’s vision and heart behind the scares.
With Crystal Lake nearly wrapped, Black Phone 2 terrifying audiences, and a renewed appreciation for horror’s most inventive sequels, 2025 is shaping up as a banner year for the genre. Whether you’re drawn by nostalgia, curiosity, or the thrill of fresh nightmares, there’s never been a better time to revisit old haunts—or discover new ones.
