In 2025, Friday the 13th is more active and evolving than ever. From theme park hauntings to new media projects, fans of the franchise are getting a full slate of happenings across film, television, games, and immersive events.
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Horror Returns to the Theme Parks
Universal Studios is bringing Jason Voorhees back to life this fall with a brand-new haunted house. On June 13, the park unveiled “Jason Universe,” a fully immersive attraction slated to run at Halloween Horror Nights 2025 at both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood. The house will transport guests to Camp Crystal Lake’s most chilling corners — the creaky lodge, the haunted woods, and Jason’s hidden cabin — all dramatizing iconic moments from the slasher saga. The attraction runs nightly from August to early November.
This marks the first major new physical horror experience tied to the franchise since its early horror-house appearances in past Halloween events.
The Crystal Lake Saga Expands on Screen
Peacock’s Crystal Lake Series
Streaming fans will soon get a deeper dive into the origin mythology. Crystal Lake, a prequel series to the Friday the 13th films, is in full swing. Jennifer Cardellini is confirmed to lead as Pamela Voorhees, and supporting cast members include William Catlett, Devin Kessler, Cameron Scoggins, and Gwendolyn Sundstrom. Scriptwork and set builds began earlier in 2025, and as of summer, principal photography is underway, particularly in New Jersey, with sets constructed in towns like Blairstown and Clifton to evoke the original Camp Blood setting.
The show is being produced by A24, with Brad Caleb Kane serving as showrunner. While no premiere date has been locked publicly yet, fan anticipation is high.
Short-form & Vignette Projects
In parallel, Sweet Revenge, a horror vignette project, is in motion. Directed by Mike P. Nelson (known for Silent Night, Deadly Night reboot work), this short-form entry is meant to complement the wider Friday the 13th universe. It’s likely to focus on a singular, tense narrative moment rather than a full feature-length story.
New Film and Game Developments
Reboot Movie on the Horizon
After years of legal wrangling over rights, a new Friday the 13th cinematic reboot is firmly back on the table. Horror Inc., the current franchise stewards, confirm that a new feature film is “at the top of the list,” and a full return to theaters is planned. While a firm release date hasn’t been publicly confirmed, industry chatter suggests development is in early to mid stages.
Former WWE wrestler Braun Strowman has claimed there have “been some talks” about his taking on the role of Jason Voorhees, leveraging his imposing build and genre profile. Whether or not Strowman ultimately lands the role remains uncertain—but it’s illustrative of the direction casting conversations are going.
Video Game Return
After the earlier Friday the 13th: The Game was shut down due to licensing disputes, developers are pivoting. Horror Inc. confirmed at San Diego Comic-Con that a brand-new Jason Universe game is officially in development. No publisher or platform details are available yet, but fans expect a return to the asymmetrical horror formula, perhaps with updated mechanics and cross-tie to the upcoming film or series.
Anniversary & Fan Celebrations
2025 marks 45 years since the original Friday the 13th first premiered (in 1980). That anniversary is fueling a host of fan celebrations and promotional efforts:
- Fan conventions like Crystal Lake Nightmares are planning large-scale gatherings to honor the franchise’s legacy.
- In Burbank, August 8–10, a special Friday the 13th reunion is expected, featuring guest appearances and rare memorabilia.
- Original cast and crew members, including Sean Cunningham, are slated to appear at events.
- Meanwhile, actor Lar Park Lincoln, known for her role in Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood, passed away earlier in 2025 at the age of 63 after a battle with breast cancer.
These events foster community among longtime fans and provide new audiences entry points into the horror lore.
What This Means for Fans
- The return of Jason in a theme-park haunted house offers fans a visceral, real-world way to engage with classic scares.
- The Crystal Lake series promises to deepen the mythology by exploring Pamela Voorhees’s backstory and early events at Camp Blood.
- The reboot film and new game hold huge potential to reset or expand the lore and modernize the franchise.
- Anniversary events and reunions create opportunities for fandom, nostalgia, and new collaborations.
- The convergence of physical attractions, media, and digital releases signals that Friday the 13th is gearing up for a full renaissance.
The next year or two will reveal how strong and cohesive this reboot effort turns out. For now, fans have plenty to look forward to.
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