The latest installment in theHalloweenreboot,Halloween Ends, is now set to release simultaneously on Peacock and in theaters. It’s an unusual move, but most likely an attempt to bolster streaming numbers.Distributor Universal Pictures was already set to openHalloween Endsin theaters on October 14, but the studio has now chosen to simultaneously release the film on their streaming service Peacock as well. The film will be available on Peacock’s paid subscription tier and will be up for 60 days.RELATED:This Halloween Ends Fan Theory Makes Perfect SenseStar Jamie Lee Curtis made the announcement in a video uploaded to Twitter on the officialHalloween Endsaccount. A new poste for the film was also released, teasing the climactic showdown between Laurie Strode and Michael Myers. Universal had used a similarrelease strategy withHalloween Killslast October, but the film landscape has changed dramatically in the past year. A day-and-date streaming release is an unusual decision that goes against the trend of other streaming platforms. During the early days of COVID, major studios released their films simultaneously on streaming and theatrically, or even scrapped the theatrical release entirely, out of necessity.
In July 2021, for example, Disney releasedBlack Widowin theaters and on Disney Plus on the same day, which led starScarlett Johansson to sue for breach of contract. Now that theatrical performance has recovered to a moderate degree, studios are shifting back to an emphasis on theatrical releases. Most notably, the recently merged Warner Bros. Discovery found itself in hot water with fans for scrapping several streaming-only projects, including aBatgirlfilm in the late stages of post-production, and shifting back to a focus on theatrical releases. All in all, Universal is likely trying to boost subscriptions to its struggling subscription service by shiftingHalloween Endsto a Peacock release day-and-date.
Halloween Endsis co-produced by prominent horror studio Blumhouse Productions, Miramax, Trancas International Films (owners ofthe original 1978Halloween), and Rough House Pictures. David Gordon Green, co-founder of Rough House Pictures along with Danny McBride and Jody Hill, is back to directHalloween Endsas he did the two previous films in theHalloweenreboot trilogy. The first in the series, 2018’sHalloween, received a surprisingly positive response from critics and fans, who praised the film for jettisoning the convoluted lore of the decades-long franchise in favor of returning to the series' roots. The second film,Halloween Killsfrom last year, did not receive nearly as positive a response.
The upcomingHalloween Endsis being marketed as the final face-off between the iconic serial killerMichael Myers and Laurie Strodefrom the 1978 film. It’s hard to believe that Michael Myers, as famously unkillable as he is lucrative, will truly remain dead, but perhaps the thirteenth time’s the charm.
Halloween Endsreleases in theaters and on Peacock on August 06, 2025.
