It’s going to be a crazy year for public domain horror films. Since Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey‘s success, the world of genre films set around characters now in public domain have gained a following. Last year brought Popeye to the public domain, resulting in three films. Now with Betty Boop and Blondie set in public domain, there is confirmation from the former but not the latter (yet, but don’t be surprised if there will be).

Here are some updates of some of this year’s expected public domain horror films, thanks to the team at Bloody Disgusting.

Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey III
With the recent casting announcement of Karol Stanisz as Rabbit and George Montague as Pooh alongside the potential victims; Millennium FX artist Vlad Taupes revealed concept art that confirmed that Pooh and the gang will be sporting new looks. Millennium FX are responsible for the creature FX on last year’s Toxic Avenger reboot and will be handling the creatures on this one. The image below shows Tigger’s new look. Lewis Santer will return to the role of the previous film’s breakout role.

Minnie’s Midnight Massacre
First announced last year, a release date has finally been confirmed for Minnie Mouse’s first official horror film. In the new film, a group of bullies force a young Minnie to live in a shelter. After 20 years, Minnie sports a mouse mask and sets herself for revenge. The Brett Bentman-helmed film, starring Tiffany McDonald as the titular Minnie, will be on VOD and Digital on February 27 from ITN Distribution. See the trailer below:

Popeye Returns
One of three horror films released last year revolving around the Sailor Man, Popeye’s Revenge did quite modestly. So much that a sequel is officially in the works. Titled Popeye Returns, plot details are under wraps. However, William Stead is returning to direct the film as will Steven Murphy in the role of Popeye. A teaser poster has been unveiled.

Gale: Yellow Brick Road
In 2023, I had reviewed the short proof-of-concept film Gale: Stay Away from Oz and interviewed director Daniel Alexander. It has been confirmed that one week from tomorrow, the feature film titled Gale: Yellow Brick Road, which came from the short film, will be released. In the film, the granddaughter of Dorothy Gale finds herself pulled into Oz despite her grandmother’s pleas. The film will be in select theaters on February 11 with an MPA rating of PG-13. See the trailer below:

2026 is set to be an exciting year for public domain horror, especially The Twisted Childhood Universe with Pinocchio Unstrung on deck for release and shooting to begin on both the aforementioned Blood and Honey 3 and the long-awaited crossover Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble as well as some new Wizard of Oz horror films aside from Gale and the two Betty Boop horror films Boop and Betty’s Revenge.