WhileFive Nights At Freddy’swas scheduled to share the theater and streaming release date of October 27, a last-minute change now hasthe Blumhouse horrorflick landing on Peacock sooner than expected. The film will now be available on the streamer on October 26 begining at 8 pm ET. According toScreen Rant, who confirmed the update with Universal Pictures, the change coincides with select preview screenings.
Based on the popular horror video game franchise that launched in 2014, the film stars Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games) as Mike, a troubled security guard who begins working at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza, a themed restaurant with singing and dancing animatronic animals. During his first night on the job, Mike realizes that the night shift won’t be easy to get through, as he discovers that the animatronics come alive at night… and they’re out for blood.Five Nights At Freddy’salso stars Elizabeth Lail (You), Piper Rubio (Unstable), Mary Stuart Masterson (Benny & Joon), and Matthew Lillard (Scream).
Emma Tammi directs the horror feature from a screenplay she co-wrote withFive Nights At Freddy’sfranchise creator Scott Cawthon and Seth Cuddeback. The film is produced by Blumhouse Productions and distributed by Universal. Blumhouse collaborated with award-winning special and visual effects companyJim Henson’s Creature Shop to create the movie’s animatronics.
Several Blumhouse films have gone the day-and-date release strategy (where a movie lands in theaters and a streaming service simultaneously) in recent years, includingFirestarter, Halloween Kills, andHalloween Ends.
Related:Five Nights at Freddy’s Movie Director Chose PG-13 Over R-Rating
Five Nights At Freddy’s Marks Mathew Lillard’s Return to Horror
Five Nights At Freddy’sis expected to succeed due to the franchise’s large fan base (Deadlinereports that the film is expected to gross $50M opening weekend). The main series consists of nine video games (stemming from the original 2014 game of the same name), but the franchise also includes numerous spin-off games and other media. While fans of the beloved video game franchise are eager for the arrival of the film adaptation, the film is also drawing in horror fans excited for another reason: Lillard’s return to the genre.
Known for hiscaptivating portrayal of Stu Macherin 1996’sScream,Lillard’s performance is considered one of the best in the decades-long franchise. While Lillard has returned in different capacities forScreammovies throughout the years (last returning for the 2022 film to voiceFlamethrower Ghostface), Lillard hasn’t led a horror feature since 2001’sThir13en Ghosts.
According to director Tammi,collaborating with Lillardprovided a glimpse into the actor’s brilliance:
“Matthew Lillard is an icon, and he stepped into this iconic role with both reverence for what he knew the fanbase would want to see and also a wild imagination for bringing this character to life in a way that has never been seen. That is a combination of the way he moves, the way he speaks. At times ad libbing a line. This was before the strike, just to be clear, that was still allowed. He inhabited the role with such joy and menacing fear. And that’s the brilliant combination that he is capable of. That is incredible,” Tammi said.
Five Nights At Freddy’swill be available to stream on Peacock starting at 8 pm ET on Thursday, October 26.
