Blumhouse and Lionsgate are teaming up for a brand-new Blair Witch Project movie, and the buzz is already building. The first film came out in 1999 and became a big hit, even though it was a low-budget indie horror. It was filmed on handheld cameras but its realistic style made people wonder if it was real or fake.
Although entirely fictional, The Blair Witch Project became one of the most profitable films ever, earning millions on a budget of less than a million dollars. While it didn’t invent the found-footage genre, the movie sparked a major trend in horror during the 2000s. Blumhouse, which gained fame with 2007’s Paranormal Activity in the same style, is now teaming up with Lionsgate to co-produce the next Blair Witch film, bringing things full circle.
Here’s everything you’ve been waiting to learn about the new Blair Witch movie, an exciting revival of the iconic horror franchise that’s set to captivate audiences once again. Keep reading to discover all the latest updates and details about this thrilling new chapter!
Advertisement What Is The Blair Witch Project All About?
The original Blair Witch Project (1999) follows three film students who disappear while making a documentary about the Blair Witch in a Maryland forest. The film was written, directed, and edited by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sanchez. It shows the students traveling to Burkittsville, Maryland, to explore the local legend of the Blair Witch. Since the Blair Witch was made up for the movie, its success led to a mockumentary called Curse of the Blair Witch, which pretended the legend was real.
The sequel, Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2, didn’t do as well as the original film, getting a low 14% on Rotten Tomatoes and an 18% audience score. Later, in 2016, Blair Witch was released and did better than the sequel, with a 38% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 31% audience score. The original film holds a strong 86% certified fresh score.
All the Latest on Blumhouse’s Blair Witch Project
The Blair Witch Project franchise has had some ups and downs over the years, and the latest news reveals that the original filmmakers, Eduardo Sanchez and Dan Myrick, are speaking out about Blumhouse’s new Blair Witch. Sanchez and Myrick created the original film in 1999, but they’ve mostly been left out of the franchise’s development since then. When talking about being excluded from Blumhouse’s new project, they called it “bittersweet.”
Sanchez shared, “It would be nice to be included again, even if they don’t listen to us. Just to get our thoughts.” However, he understands the situation, saying, “They’re a business, and we learned a lot from that.” Myrick agreed, adding, “We learned a trial by fire.” While there’s always a chance, it looks like Sanchez and Myrick won’t be part of creating the new movie.
Check out Sanchez and Myrick’s comments here:
It’s always a little bittersweet. Ed and I have always had ideas to expand the Blair Witch world. We feel there’s a lot more to explore in that universe.
Myrick
Like Dan said, it is bittersweet. We still love the franchise and have been thinking about it for over 25 years. We don’t expect to write and direct these movies, though. We understand how Hollywood works—they’re always looking for new filmmakers. There are a lot of talented people who could make a great Blair Witch movie. It would be nice to be included again, even if they don’t listen to us. It would be good to share our ideas, and we have a dedicated fan base from the original movie. Bringing us back could help with publicity. But we’ll see what happens.
Sanchez
Studios aren’t your friends—they’re a business. We learned that the hard way. After that, we understood how things work. Lionsgate bought the rights and has made a few follow-up films, some of which did okay. But we still believe there are more Blair Witch stories to tell that would be valuable, especially for the fans. Unfortunately, Lionsgate hasn’t supported that idea.
Myrick
An Overview of the Blair Witch Franchise
The new Blair Witch movie isn’t the first one made by Lionsgate. In 2016, Blair Witch was released as a follow-up to the poorly received 2000 sequel. The original Blair Witch Project was a huge hit in 1999, and its found-footage style became very popular. After that, Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 came out in 2000, but it didn’t meet expectations. Critics didn’t like it, and it didn’t become a hit like the first film. This caused the franchise to be put on hold for over 15 years, until the release of Blair Witch in 2016.
The Blair Witch franchise includes:
| Movie | Release Year | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
|---|---|---|
| The Blair Witch Project | 1999 | 86% |
| Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 | 2000 | 14% |
| Blair Witch | 2016 | 38% |
Lionsgate’s first Blair Witch film went back to the original story, ignoring the events of Book of Shadows, and picked up where the first movie ended. The found-footage third film didn’t get great reviews, but it made a good profit on its small budget. Now, less than 10 years later, a fourth film is on the way, likely continuing the story from the 2016 movie. However, until more information is released, the new Blair Witch movie remains a mystery.
The Blair Witch Project Restored Edition Announced
The Blair Witch Project is getting a long-awaited home video release that finally reflects how its creators, Eduardo Sánchez and Daniel Myrick, intended it to be seen. Producer Michael Monello shared that the 1999 film’s original transfer for home video introduced motion errors, muted colors, and softened cuts, which impacted its eerie vibe. The new version corrects these issues, making the movie scarier with sharper cuts and clearer visuals. This release also includes 90 minutes of deleted scenes and a new documentary, though it will only be available as a Region B release for Europe.
25 years later, our little movie, ‘The Blair Witch Project,’ is FINALLY being released as we always intended. Here are details for the curious. pic.twitter.com/w6S4dm2KKI
— Mike Monello (@mikemonello) November 11, 2024
Despite its exciting updates, the original cast: Heather Donohue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael Williams chose not to participate due to ongoing disputes with Lionsgate over profits. Monello noted that the filmmakers worked on this re-release without pay, driven by a passion to share the movie as it was meant to be seen.
With Lionsgate also working on a new Blair Witch film, fans are left to wonder how this restored version might enhance the original’s already terrifying reputation. Will you be watching it?
What was the Ending of Blair Witch?
The ending of The Blair Witch Project is both abrupt and haunting, leaving viewers with more questions than answers. After Josh goes missing, Heather and Mike hear his screams and find what appears to be his teeth and tongue wrapped in his shirt outside their tent. Desperate to save him, they follow his voice to a decaying house in the woods. Inside, they frantically search, finding eerie handprints on the walls. Mike reaches the basement first but is suddenly attacked off-camera. Heather follows, only to find Mike standing motionless in a corner, just as they had learned about in the legend of Rustin Parr. Moments later, Heather is also attacked, and her camera falls to the ground, abruptly ending the film.
This conclusion ties the story back to the disturbing history of Rustin Parr, who made his victims stand in the corner before killing them. By mirroring this detail, the film subtly suggests that the trio has fallen victim to the same malevolent force, possibly the Blair Witch herself. The lack of visual confirmation of the witch or her powers leaves much to the imagination. This heightens the psychological horror. The unanswered questions and unseen terror make the ending even more chilling, as viewers are left to interpret what truly happened in the basement.
How Scary is Blair Witch Movie?
The Blair Witch Project is scary because it builds tension without showing too much. Instead of showing gory scenes or scary monsters, it makes you feel uneasy by focusing on the characters’ fear. Three filmmakers get lost in the woods. Strange things start happening, like creepy stick figure dolls and strange noises at night. The fear comes from the unknown because we never actually see the Blair Witch.
Some people find it really scary because it plays on fears of being alone and chased by something you can’t see. But for others, it might not be as scary because there are no monsters or clear horror scenes. The movie makes you feel anxious and keeps you on edge, which is what makes it scary for many viewers.
FAQs
Yes, a new Blair Witch Project movie is in development from Lionsgate and Blumhouse.
Yes it is available to watch on Netflix.
The 2016 film Blair Witch was directed by Adam Wingard and written by Simon Barrett
The second film in the Blair Witch series is called Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2
No, The Blair Witch Project is not based on real life
The Blair Witch video game can take up to six hours to complete.
There is already a Blair Witch video game series. It includes a second volume, Blair Witch Volume II: The Legend of Coffin Rock.
The witch is never actually shown on screen.
Yes, it’s a found footage film
Rustin Parr is the killer in Blair Witch Project.
Wrap Up!
The upcoming new Blair Witch movie is generating a lot of excitement, but many details are still under wraps. With Blumhouse and Lionsgate at the helm, fans can expect a fresh take on the iconic horror franchise. Whether it continues the story or explores new directions, the film promises to bring the eerie magic of The Blair Witch Project to a whole new audience.