What to know about the new Witchcraft trilogy
- Three sequels Jason Paul Collum’s separate trilogy continues the story of the original 1988 Witchcraft film.
- Release schedule The three films are currently targeted for early 2027, January 2028 and July 28, 2028.
- Family story The trilogy follows warlock Will Spanner, his wife Elia and their daughter Miracle as the effects of his past reach his family.
- Viewing context The films acknowledge earlier Witchcraft installments but are intended to be understandable without watching all 18 previous movies.
The Witchcraft franchise is getting three more sequels, but the upcoming films are not directly connected to Witchcraft XVIII: The Lanterne of Light, whose development has been followed in recent months. Filmmaker Jason Paul Collum wrote, produced and directed a separate trilogy continuing the story of the original 1988 Witchcraft. The films bring back familiar faces from the long-running horror series while introducing a new generation of characters.
The trilogy consists of Witchcraft XIX: Our Father, expected in early 2027; Witchcraft XX: 40 Years Later, scheduled for January 2028; and Witchcraft XXI: Brotherhood of Saints, currently targeting a July 28, 2028 release. The first two films were shot this past summer, while production on the third is planned for early 2027.
Collum, who previously directed the documentary Screaming in High Heels: The Rise & Fall of the Scream Queen Era, is joined on the trilogy by veteran horror producer David S. Sterling. The new films follow warlock Will Spanner, now played by Michael Newby, and explore how his past actions throughout the franchise continue to affect his family. His 17-year-old daughter Miracle, played by Aurelia Despin (Mark of the Devil VII), is developing into a witch, while his wife Elia is played by Tina Ona Paukstelis.
What stories will the three Witchcraft sequels tell?
The three movies share an overarching storyline, but each has its own subject and central theme. Together, the Witchcraft trilogy explores family conflict, the consequences of past actions and life after children leave home.
The three Witchcraft sequels give each film a distinct family-centered story.
Witchcraft XIX: Our Father focuses on single mothers being murdered by their own daughters. The story explores mother-daughter relationships, particularly in families where the father is absent, and the anger children can direct toward the people who care for them most.
Witchcraft XX: 40 Years Later turns its attention to the sins of the father, examining how Will Spanner’s past actions have affected his immediate family. The story follows the family’s struggle to deal with that trauma and asks whether Will can find forgiveness from Miracle and Elia.
Finally, Witchcraft XXI: Brotherhood of Saints looks at the challenges facing parents who become empty nesters. With their child no longer at the center of their lives, they must discover a new purpose and figure out who they can rely on when terrible things begin to happen. The film will also bring back several actors and characters from the franchise, with Collum teasing appearances intended to excite longtime fans.
The new movies acknowledge events from previous Witchcraft installments rather than wiping the slate clean. However, Collum says viewers will not need to have watched the entire franchise to follow the trilogy. As he explained to Rue Morgue, the films do not deny that the other 18 movies happened, but they will not spend too much time revisiting those earlier storylines. Important details will be explained when necessary.
Which familiar horror actors return for the trilogy?
The cast brings together younger performers and veteran genre favorites. Recognizable names include Brinke Stevens (The Slumber Party Massacre), Judith O’Dea (Night of the Living Dead), Michelle Bauer (Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-o-Rama), Melanie Kinnaman (Friday the 13th: A New Beginning), Tina Ona Paukstelis (What Happened to Dorothy Bell?), Karen Dilloo (Safe Inside) and Darcey Vanderhoef (October Moon).
The trilogy combines returning genre performers with new cast members.
The films also feature Aurelia Despin as Miracle and Michael Newby as Will Spanner.
All three movies will contain Easter eggs referencing horror classics and earlier entries in the Witchcraft series. Collum singled out The Boogey Man, Deadly Blessing, When a Stranger Calls, The Exorcist and Rosemary’s Baby as influences and sources of tributes. He also promised a loving nod to the late Julie Strain, who appeared in Witchcraft IV: Virgin Heart and died in 2021.
How will the new trilogy approach the Witchcraft franchise differently?
The Witchcraft series became associated with nudity and sex beginning with 1989’s Witchcraft II: The Temptress. Collum says the new trilogy takes a different approach, emphasizing characterization, emotional depth and storytelling. He describes that direction as closer to the original 1988 film, which contained no nudity or sex.
The new trilogy shifts the emphasis toward character and family relationships.
Collum told Rue Morgue that the movies will still deliver gore, scares, suspense and magic, but he hopes audiences will remember the characters and their family relationships after the end credits. He also wants the films to surprise critics who might not expect much from the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first entries in a direct-to-video horror franchise.
When are the new Witchcraft movies expected to be released?
The current release targets are early 2027 for Witchcraft XIX: Our Father, January 2028 for Witchcraft XX: 40 Years Later and July 28, 2028 for Witchcraft XXI: Brotherhood of Saints. The plan is for limited festival and theatrical screenings, followed by a physical media release through MakeFlix.com. The films are then expected to become available through Amazon and other streaming platforms.
The announced schedule places the trilogy’s release targets across 2027 and 2028.
Fans can follow production and release updates through the Witchcraft 19, 20 & 21: 40th Anniversary Trilogy Facebook group.
With multiple sequels planned, a new generation of characters and familiar horror faces returning, the Witchcraft franchise is preparing for a busy few years. The trilogy’s three release targets and connected family story provide the main points for fans to follow. Let us know by leaving a comment below.
What should viewers know before watching the new Witchcraft movies?
The trilogy continues the original 1988 film’s story but is separate from Witchcraft XVIII: The Lanterne of Light. The filmmakers say viewers do not need to watch all 18 earlier installments to follow the new films.
The new trilogy acknowledges earlier franchise events without requiring viewers to know every previous storyline.
When is Witchcraft XIX: Our Father expected?
Witchcraft XIX: Our Father is expected to arrive in early 2027.
Who plays Will Spanner and Miracle?
Michael Newby plays Will Spanner, and Aurelia Despin plays his daughter, Miracle.
Where are the new Witchcraft films expected to be available?
The plan includes limited festival and theatrical screenings, a physical media release through MakeFlix.com and later availability through Amazon and other streaming platforms.
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