When the found footage supernatural horror movie Paranormal Activity came out back in 2009, who could have believed this little movie that cost $15K would lead to an ongoing franchise? Now Paranormal Activity‘s stage production is coming to Broadway, according to a report from The Hollywood Reporter. This will be a limited 20-week engagement. Previews for Paranormal Activity – A New Story Live on Broadway begin August 14, with the official opening night performance on September 15 at the August Wilson Theatre. Right now, the August Wilson Theatre is home to a new revival of Dog Day Afternoon starring Jon Bernthal.
Paranormal Activity is written by Levi Holloway (Grey House) and directed by Felix Barrett (Sleep No More). Previously, this stage version played to audiences in London’s West End, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco. But a run on Broadway was always the ultimate goal for the show. The play isn’t a direct adaptation of any of the movies or characters from the film. Instead, it’s an all-new supernatural story, in the same vein as the films. Jason Blum, whose Blumhouse Productions made a name for itself with the original film, has come on board as a producer. Down below is the official synopsis for the stage version:
James and Lou move from Chicago to London to escape their past, but they soon discover that places aren’t haunted, people are. With an original story inspired by the film franchise, Paranormal Activity reimagines the modern ghost story with an intimacy that only live theatre can provide.
Audiences have called the previous versions of Paranormal Activity the scariest horror-themed stage production of all time. With its arrival on Broadway, it will no doubt reach its biggest audience yet. With the play hitting Broadway and a reboot of the film coming in 2027, it looks like this franchise may be heading into a new era of prominence once again.