Horrorfans are gearing up for another spooky Halloween season. This time of year isn’t complete without a bit ofStephen King. The famous genre author has had many classic stories adapted and remade over the years. In the latter frightening department,Salem’s Lotwill be finally releasing its remake of the iconic novel of the same name this Halloween. However, if you haven’t watched the previous entries in the franchise, you’re in luck, becauseA Return to Salem’s Lotis coming to Max very soon.
A Return to Salem’s Lotwill be haunting Max on October 1. That’s just in time to kick off your first Halloween horror marathon. The film was a sequel to the hit 1979 television miniseries. It may not have enough critic reviews to have an official score on Rotten Tomatoes, butits24% rotten audience ratingwill put a stake through any horror fan’s heart. That’s in stark contrast to thefirst adaptationwhich has a positive 89% critic rating and 65% audience rating. However, many moviegoers might not have seen this sequel when it was released in 1987 as it only received a limited theatrical run. Because of that, maybe itsMaxrelease will give the film a boost on Rotten Tomatoes. Especially given the renewed franchise interest with the remake right around the corner.
What’s ‘A Return to Salem’s Lot’ About?
The sequel follows anthropologist Joe Weber after he returns to his hometown with his son. Their rustic old farmhouse just so happens to be on the infamousSalem’s Lot. It’s not too long before the vampire colony returns,which quickly puts a wrench in the last ditch effort to save Joe’s son along with their relationship. While this film is not as well known or loved as its predecessor,Return to Salem’s Lotwas released on Blu-ray for the first time in 2021thanks to Scream Factory. It’s a part of the horror-centric boutique label’s large King collection that includes classics likeCarrie,Silver BulletandCreepshowalongside lesser known films likeThe Graveyard ShiftandThe Dead Zone.
When Does the ‘Salem’s Lot’ Remake Release?
TheSalem’s Lotremakefrom Warner Brothers and writer/director Gary Dauberman will be released exclusively onMaxon Thursday, October 3. That’s just a few days afterReturn to Salem’s Lothits the streamer. King himself has gone out of his way to praise the film heading into its release. As horror fans return to the world ofSalem’s Lot, you can view the trailer for the 1987 sequel above and 2024 remake below.
Salem’s Lot
In Salem’s Lot (2024), writer Ben Mears returns to his childhood town to craft a novel, only to find that its residents are being transformed into vampires. As the sinister forces grow, Ben and a group of allies must confront the malevolent presence threatening to consume the entire community.
