James Wan, known for horror hits like Saw (2004), The Conjuring, and Insidious franchises, is venturing into the found-footage genre.
In a major horror comeback, James Wan revives Paranormal Activity franchise, signalling a bold new direction for the iconic found-footage series.
James Wan is on board to resurrect the Paranormal Activity franchise
The upcoming eighth film in the franchise is set to be developed under Wan’s leadership, with him confirmed as the producer. Jason Blum, owner of Blumhouse, and Oren Peli, director of the original 2007 film, are also involved.
Despite no plot details and no names attached to write, direct, or star in the new film, James Wan is set to haunt the screens again with a Paranormal Activity revival that has taken us by storm.
Here is what Wan said about summoning a rebirth of Paranormal Activity,
“I’ve been a huge admirer of Paranormal Activity since the brilliant first movie, with its creeping slow burn and subtle ability to make the unseen terrifying. I’m looking forward to expanding on its legacy.” [Source]
Blum is equally excited as well as he explained that with Wan, the “exciting rebirth” is what they all have imagined for Blumhouse- Atomic Monster. Since the first film only cost $15,000 to make, now they are in a position to spend more and make it big.
Blum mentioned big names of Paramount who are assisting in the new film’s production, such as Josh Greenstein, Dana Goldberg, David Ellison, and Jeff Shell.
The doom of the Paranormal Activity franchise
Paranormal Activity is one of the franchises that has gotten worse over time. In comparison, other found-footage franchises like Hell House LLC have amassed a massive fan following, leaving Paranormal Activity in the dust.
Have a look at the ratings of all seven Paranormal Activity films steadily declining, revealing the franchise’s fatigue:
| IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes (Critics’ score) | Rotten Tomatoes (Audience’s score) | |
| Paranormal Activity (2007) | 6.3 | 82 percent | 57 percent |
| Paranormal Activity 2 (2010) | 5.7 | 58 percent | 48 percent |
| Paranormal Activity 3 (2011) | 5.8 | 67 percent | 51 percent |
| Paranormal Activity 4 (2012) | 4.7 | 23 percent | 34 percent |
| Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (2014) | 5.1 | 40 percent | 34 percent |
| Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (2015) | 4.6 | 15 percent | 27 percent |
| Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin (2021) | 5.3 | 32 percent | 38 percent |
A constant change in the leadership and heavy reliance on jump scares rather than expanding the lore were the two main reasons for the franchise’s downfall.
Based on a 2022 story of Entertainment Weekly, soon after the release of Next of Kin (2021), Blum wanted the franchise to end. He said,
“It has been enough already. That last Paranormal Activity movie was terrible.” [Source]
Another potentially final entry of the franchise was almost planned after Next of Kin, looking toward a 2023 premiere. But things didn’t go as expected, and the belittling ratings of the 2021 film were quite demotivating for Blumhouse.
How will the franchise evolve as James Wan revives Paranormal Activity?
However, now things have taken a drastic turn, and hearing James Wan’s name attached to the dying franchise now gives Blumhouse and the horror fans some hope.
Given his history of successful projects like Saw and Malignant (2021) and some in the non-horror genre like Furious 7 (2015) and Aquaman (2018), Paranormal Activity is a great pick for him to work on.
Even if he was not serving as a director, he produced the famous Lights Out (2016), Mortal Kombat (2021), M3gan (2022), and The Monkey (2025), fortifying his stance in the related genres.
Wan’s signature blend of atmospheric tension, world-building, and smart lore expansion could push the next Paranormal Activity film beyond the found-footage formula while still honoring its emblematic elements.
Fans can expect sharper storytelling, more imaginative scares, and refreshed mythology since the modern audience now loves a more layered plot that would reconnect the franchise to its roots.
The case of Paranormal Activity’s test screenings misled the filmmakers?
Wan teaming up for Paranormal Activity’s rejuvenation might be a smart move that the franchise has needed for years. But a major question arises here: don’t the producers watch the film themselves before bringing it to a wider audience?
Yes, they do. In fact, there are test screenings, previews, and research screenings. These screenings serve to generate early buzz and word-of-mouth feedback from a fan audience, much like a traditional test screening.
Why didn’t Jason Blum get to know whether Paranormal Activity’s previous films would work in theatres and whether the critics would hail them as warmly as those who have watched them at test screenings?
For example, early response to Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones had the fans saying that it might reinvigorate the franchise, per Bloody Disgusting. Early fan responses, while enthusiastic, often focus on nostalgia and brand loyalty rather than critical evaluation, making it difficult to produce genuine reviews that accurately assess the film’s quality and execution.
It seems that not every early viewer approaches a film with the kind of analytical mindset needed to assess story structure, scares, pacing, or originality. Many react emotionally or out of loyalty to the brand, which can give filmmakers and producers an overly optimistic impression of the film’s potential box office performance.
This can make early praise feel unrealistically kind or disconnected from how the wider audience and critics ultimately receive the film. It comes as no surprise that Blum was convinced to say that the franchise shouldn’t pursue any more films.
Will James Wan’s touch be enough to save the fading franchise? Have your say in the comments below.
Passionate Entertainment Writer | Trusted Pop Culture Voice
Madiha Ali is an experienced entertainment writer with over five years of expertise in covering movies, TV shows, celebrity news, and pop culture. Her bylines appear on trusted platforms like Screen Anarchy, High on Films, Ary News, The Express Tribune, Tea and Banter, Show Snob, CelebFeedz, Snapfeedz, Daily Planet Media, The Irish Insider, and Movie Insiderz.
She brings a personal, insightful approach to every story—whether she’s analyzing the emotional layers of a film or giving her take on trending celebrity headlines. Madiha’s writing style is known for being authentic, well-researched, and reader-focused.
When she’s not writing, she’s fully immersed in the world of entertainment—watching new releases, revisiting classics, exploring behind-the-scenes content, or reading books that fuel her creativity. Her passion for storytelling drives her work and helps her stay connected to what matters most in the industry.
Madiha believes great stories start conversations, challenge perspectives, and stay with us long after the credits roll. Through her writing, she continues to share those stories with clarity, depth, and heart.
Expertise in Entertainment Journalism
Published on Trusted Media Platforms
Audience-Focused & Original Voice
Dedicated to Quality Content
Discover more from MovieInsiderz - Latest Movie Reviews, News & Box Office Updates
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
1 thought on “James Wan Revives Paranormal Activity- Blumhouse Brings the Franchise Back From the Dead”