It’s almost April, which means we’re almost officially halfway to Halloween! To celebrate our favorite day creeping closer and closer, our friends over at Shudder are once again marking the occasion with their annual Halfway to Halloween event – and as always, it’s a killer lineup. Starting on April 1, the month long event will see a suitably spooky collection of original films and series hitting the horror streaming giant, as well as some new additions to Shudder’s already vast library.
Let’s dive into what terrifying treats will be gracing our screens:
Slasher: Ripper
Two-Episode Season Premiere Thursday, April 6
Slasher: Ripper takes the Slasher franchise back in time to the late 19th century and stars Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) as Basil Garvey, a charismatic tycoon whose success is only rivaled by his ruthlessness, as he oversees a city on the cusp of a new century, and a social upheaval that will see its streets run red with blood. There’s a killer stalking the mean streets, but instead of targeting the poor and downtrodden like Jack the Ripper, The Widow is meting out justice against the rich and powerful. The only person standing in the way of this killer is the newly promoted detective, Kenneth Rijkers, whose ironclad belief in justice may wind up being yet another victim of The Widow.
Kids vs. Aliens
New Film Premieres Friday, April 14
An all-time rager of a teen house party turns to terror when aliens attack, forcing two warring siblings to band together to survive the night in this spin-off from the popular V/H/S franchise. Starring Dominic Mariche (Are You Afraid of the Dark?), Phoebe Rex (The Last Divide), and Calem MacDonald (The Umbrella Academy).
The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs Season 5A
New Season Premieres Friday, April 21 with Five Episodes; Remaining Five Episodes to Debut in June
On The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs, Joe Bob Briggs hosts eclectic horror movie double features, expounding upon their merits, histories and significance to genre cinema. Join Joe Bob, Darcy the Mail Girl, and the rest of The Last Drive-In crew as they ring in an all-new fifth season, which for the first time ever will be split into two parts, with the first half of the season premiering on Friday, April 21 and the final half returning in June, rounding out the horror-viewing experience. The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs is produced by Matt Manjourides and Justin Martell and directed by Austin Jennings.
The Boulet Brothers’ Halfway to Halloween TV Special
New Special Premieres Tuesday, April 25
Hosted by modern day horror hosts and “queens of darkness” The Boulet Brothers, The Boulet Brothers’ Halfway to Halloween TV Special will be a mid-year variety show celebrating the “Halfway to Halloween” season for fans who just can’t wait until October 31 to get a good dose of the dark side. Calling to mind the era of classic retro holiday variety shows, the program will be hosted from The Boulet’s haunter manor set and will feature scripted skits, musical performances, and guest appearances from an impressive lineup of stars including David Dastmalchian (Dune, Suicide Squad) who co-produced the special, Kevin Smith (Clerks, Tusk), Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek), Taran Killam (SNL), Matthew Lillard (Scream film series), Jorge Garcia (Lost), Steve Agee (Peacemaker), Barbara Crampton (Re-Animator, Chopping Mall), Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), Katya (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Derek Mears (Friday the 13th, Swamp Thing), Satanic doo wop band Twin Temple, and Kendra Onixx, Koco Caine & Melissa Befierce (The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula). Additional guests to be announced.
From Black
New Film Premieres Friday, April 28
A young mother, crushed by guilt after the disappearance of her young son 5 years previously, is presented with a bizarre offer to learn the truth and set things right. But how far is she willing to go, and is she willing to pay the terrifying price for a chance to hold her boy again? Starring Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect), Jennifer Lafleur (Nope) and John Ales (Euphoria). Directed by Thomas Marchese who also serves as writer with Jessub Flower.
AND as if that new selection of Shudder goodies wasn’t enough, new library films this month include The Blair Witch Project (1999) and Blair Witch 2, The Wicker Man (1973), The Fog, and Pumpkinhead, along with currently available classics Halloween (1978), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), The Night of the Living Dead (1968), Hellraiser (1987), and many more.
Excited? So are we. We’ve got a long few months of sunshine and sweatiness to get through before that holiest of horror holidays, but don’t worry – Shudder’s got your back:
