Following the recent box office success of horror films like “Megan”, “Smile” and 20th Century Studios’ “Barbarian”, Disney is going to be shifting it’s release plants for its upcoming 20th Century Studios film, “Boogeyman”, which is based on Stephen King’s 1973 short story.

It follows a 16-year-old and her younger sister, still reeling from the death of their mother, as they’re targeted by a supernatural boogeyman, after their psychologist father has an encounter with a desperate patient in their house.

The film was originally scheduled to be released on Hulu in the United States and as a Star Original on Star+ in Latin America and on Disney+ around the world.  And now, according to THR, the film will now be released first in cinemas on June 2nd 2023.  The film has been getting positive reactions from early test screenings, which will have had an impact on the decision.

Once the film has had its theatrical release, we should then expect the film to be released on Disney’s streaming services around the world.   Now that the long-running HBO deal has come to an end, no new 20th Century Studios and Searchlight titles no longer need to go to HBO first in the United States, so Disney has more flexibility for future releases.  And with a push to make more money, it’s likely more films planned to go direct to streaming, will possibly get theatrical releases.

“The Boogeyman” has been directed by Rob Savage and has been produced by 21 Laps.  With Scott Beck, Bryan Woods and Mark Heyman, writing the script.

The horror-thriller stars Chris Messina (“Sharp Objects”), Sophie Thatcher (“Yellowjackets”), Vivien Lyra Blair (“Bird Box”), David Dastmalchian (“The Suicide Squad”), Marin Ireland (“The Last Man”) and Madison Hu (“Voyagers”).

“The Boogeyman” is produced by 21 Laps’ Shawn Levy, Dan Levine and Dan Cohen, with Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (“A Quiet Place”) and Emily Morris serving as executive producers.

What do you think of “The Boogeyman” moving to a theatrical release?

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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