A few months back, I shared five things we know about the new Haunted Mansion movie so far. My friend Jeffrey Holmes, operator of Strange True Tours in New Orleans, added a sixth: it’s being filmed in New Orleans. But then he tipped me off to another scary movie and TV show that he knew was also filming in the Big Easy. Well, as these things have a way of doing, I ended up stumbling across a few more.
New Orleans is a city that always ranks high on people’s paranormal and horror travel bucket lists. A fun way to experience it between visits —or until you make your first one— is via screens both big and small. And these six New Orleans-based horror movies and TV shows will soon give us a spooky way to scratch that travel itch.
New Orleans Horror Movies Coming in 2022/2023
1. We Have a Ghost
Release Info: TBA 2022, Netflix
David Harbour (Stranger Things) stars in this film written and directed by Christopher Landon (Freaky, Happy Death Day 2U) that’s adapted from a short story by Geoff Manaugh. Netflix sums it up this way: “Kevin’s family goes viral after finding Ernest the ghost haunting their new home. But when Kevin helps Ernest dig into his past, they become CIA targets.”
An exact release date hasn’t been disclosed yet beyond “2022.” However, you can set a reminder on Netflix for it, so I’m guessing it’ll start streaming pretty soon.
2. Disney’s Haunted Mansion
Release Info: Mar. 10, 2023, Theatrical
Like the 2003 version with Eddie Murphy, the new Haunted Mansion movie will also be live-action, but the plot is brand new. Here’s the synopsis that Disney Parks Blog shared: “In this mysterious adventure, a doctor (Rosario Dawson) and her 9-year-old son (Chase Dillon), looking to start a new life, move into a strangely affordable mansion in New Orleans, only to discover that the place is much more than they bargained for. Desperate for help, they contact a priest (Owen Wilson), who, in turn, enlists the aid of a widowed scientist-turned failed-paranormal expert (LaKeith Stanfield), a French Quarter psychic (Tiffany Haddish) and a crotchety historian (Danny DeVito).”
3. Renfield
Release Info: Apr. 14, 2023, Theatrical
Two “Nicks,” Nicholas Hoult as the title character “Renfield” and Nicolas Cage as “Dracula,” star in this dark fantasy horror-comedy that’s already getting a lot of buzz. Movieweb believes Renfield could be one of 2023’s best movies.
Apparently, it will focus on the drama within Dracula’s castle and inner circle. (Which I first mistyped as “an dinner circle,” which also oddly works.) What will happen when Drac’s loyal and unwavering henchmen, Renfield, falls in love? Will he betray his master? And what will be the fallout if he does?
4. Marvel Studios’ Blade
Release Info: Nov. 3, 2023, Theatrical
Variety reported that the release date for the movie reboot of “everyone’s favorite half-vampire” was just announced at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. We know it will start filming this October in both New Orleans and Atlanta, but we don’t really know a lot about the plot yet.
One thing we do know is that, no. Wesley Snipes will not be reprising his role as the title character. Mahershala Ali (True Detective) will breathe new life into the role. Other cast that’s so far been announced include Delroy Lindo (Malicious, The Harder They Fall) and Aaron Pierre (Old, The Underground Railroad).
New Orleans Horror TV Shows Coming in 2022/2023
Fittingly, both of the TV series are based on horror writer and New Orleans native Anne Rice’s popular books.
1. Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches
Release Info: TBA 2022, AMC+
Alexandra Daddario (The White Lotus) will star as Rowan Fielding, a young neurosurgeon who discovers she’s an heir to a family of witches. But as she grapples with her newfound powers, she must also contend with a sinister presence that has haunted her family for generations.
It also stars Jack Huston (House of Gucci and the TV series Fargo) as “Lasher” and Tongayi Chirisa (Women of the Movement, Next Exit) as “Ciprien.”
2. Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire
Release Info: Oct. 2, 2022, AMC and AMC+
This incarnation will decidedly not be like the 1994 movie starring Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise. It’s still got Lestat and Louis, of course, played by Sam Reid (The Newsreader) and Jacob Anderson (Game of Thrones), respectively. It also stars Bailey Bass (Avatar: The Way of the Water) and Eric Bogosian (Succession).
And New Orleans still very much factors in as a character itself. After all, where else could you set such a dark, opulent, adventurous tale but in a city with such a haunting and historic past? (Well, I’m sure there are a few other places that could be contenders, but they don’t exude the same mysterious charm that New Orleans does.)
But here. See what I’m talking about for yourself. The trailer speaks volumes.
https://youtu.be/0P0loX83H6A
Check-In
Do you have a favorite horror movie, TV show, or book that’s set in New Orleans?
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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Cat People was set in New Orleans. Weird film with creepy stuff. It’s not scary by today’s standards, but I’m sure it was at the time!
That IWTV remake looks like a good one, for sure!
Oooo! It’s been DECADES since I saw Cat People but back as a kid, that was among my faves. It didn’t stick that it was set in NOLA though. Great excuse to re-watch! THX!
It does, doesn’t it? Not low budget. No skimping. (Not that the movie version was either, but I think they can do more with it as a TV series and it’s nice to see there’s a budget for it.)