Expansion of horror television franchises

The horror television landscape is expanding with new developments for established franchises. Hulu has teased the 13th season of ‘American Horror Story’, which will utilize a crossover format to connect characters and themes from previous installments. Creator Ryan Murphy described the upcoming season as a “love letter” to fans.

Details regarding the ‘American Horror Story’ production include a confirmed cast of returning actors such as Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, and Evan Peters. The season is expected to consist of 13 episodes, each roughly 30 minutes in length. In the United States, the series is scheduled to premiere on Hulu and Disney+ on September 24, 2026, with a United Kingdom release on Disney+ starting September 25, 2026. The release schedule is designed to conclude with a finale in late October to coincide with Halloween.

Additionally, Peacock has announced ‘Crystal Lake’, a prequel series to the ‘Friday the 13th’ franchise. The show will focus on the backstory of Pamela Voorhees and her son Jason Voorhees, exploring the events that led to the franchise’s central horror elements. The series is set to premiere on October 15.