Walter Hamada's 18Hz Productions Locks In Multiyear Paramount Horror Deal

Get ready, horror fans! Paramount Pictures is doubling down on terror, renewing its exclusive production deal with genre guru Walter Hamada and his 18Hz Productions. This means more low-to-mid-budget scares are headed your way, including the wild new killer chimp flick, Primate!

TL;DR

• Paramount Pictures has officially renewed its multiyear exclusive deal with Walter Hamada’s 18Hz Productions, securing a steady stream of horror content.
• The partnership aims to deliver several low-to-mid-budget horror films annually for both theatrical release and streaming platforms.
• The first look at their upcoming "killer chimp" movie, Primate, has dropped, along with details on two other terrifying projects: Familiar and a Who Can Kill a Child? reimagining titled Suffer Little Children.

Paramount Pictures and Walter Hamada Continue Their Reign in Horror Productions

Big news for anyone who loves a good scare! Paramount Pictures just solidified its commitment to horror by renewing its exclusive, multiyear production deal with veteran film executive Walter Hamada and his company, 18Hz Productions. If Hamada’s name rings a bell, it should – he's a true genre guru known for his deep understanding of what makes audiences jump out of their seats and keep coming back for more.

Before his current gig as a powerhouse producer, Hamada was the head honcho over at DC Films and also played a crucial role in shaping New Line's horror slate as a production EVP. Think about some of the biggest genre hits in recent memory: the terrifying Conjuring franchise, Stephen King's It films (which, by the way, collectively grossed a staggering $1.18 billion globally, becoming New Line's second-highest-grossing horror series), and even the critically acclaimed The Batman. Yep, those are all on his impressive resume. He truly knows his stuff when it comes to crafting compelling, scary stories!

Hamada initially inked his exclusive deal with the Melrose lot in November 2022, officially kicking off his producing career under the 18Hz banner in 2023. The goal then, as it is now, was pretty clear: pump out a consistent flow of low-to-mid-budget horror movies annually, hitting both the big screen and your favorite streaming services. This strategy has proven to be a goldmine for studios looking to maximize profit margins and cater to the ever-hungry horror crowd. With Paramount now under David Ellison’s ownership, it seems this winning formula is set to continue, promising more diverse and exciting scares for us all.

Prepare for a Primal Scream: Dive into the World of 'Primate'

Leading the charge in this new wave of terror is a film that sounds absolutely bananas (and yes, that pun was very much intended): Primate. The first full trailer just dropped, and let me tell you, it looks like a wild and intense ride! This creature feature, directed by Johannes Roberts (the mastermind behind the thrilling 47 Meters Down films), promises a unique and genuinely unsettling brand of animal-attack horror.

The story throws a group of friends onto a seemingly idyllic tropical vacation in Hawaii. Sounds like paradise, right? Well, paradise quickly turns into a nightmare when their family's adopted chimpanzee, named Ben, takes a terrifying turn. According to reports, Ben contracts rabies after an incident, and then… well, let's just say he stops being a friendly pet and starts a brutal, homicidal rampage. The trailer perfectly captures that unsettling shift, leaving you wondering why anyone would think a pet chimp is a good idea in the first place! One character in the trailer even asks, "Who the hell has a pet chimp?" – and honestly, we’re all thinking it on a spiritual level. It taps into that very real, primal fear of nature turning against us, especially when it's something we once trusted.

Primate boasts a talented cast ready to face off against the simian psycho. Johnny Sequoyah stars as Lucy, with Academy Award-winner Troy Kotsur playing her father. Jessica Alexander, Victoria Wyant, Gia Hunter, Benjamin Cheng, Charlie Mann, and Tienne Simon also feature, with Miguel Torres Umba stepping into the complex, physical role of Ben the chimp. Roberts co-wrote the intense script with Ernest Riera, ensuring a tight, suspenseful narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The film already made its world premiere as the opening night screening at Fantastic Fest last month (September 2025), generating some serious buzz and positive early reactions from those lucky enough to catch it. Critics have even compared its intense, confined-space horror to classics like Stephen King's Cujo, but with a terrifying primate instead of a rabid dog. If that doesn't get your horror senses tingling, I don't know what will!

Understanding Why January is Becoming the New Spooky Season for Horror Releases

Mark your calendars, because Primate is set to hit theaters on January 9, 2026 in the US (with a UK cinema release following on January 30, 2026). Now, a January release date used to be seen as a bit of a cinematic graveyard, a place where studios dumped films they didn't have much faith in. But in recent years, the horror genre has completely flipped that script. We've seen massive successes like M3GAN and Scream (2022) defy expectations with early-year releases, proving that audiences are always hungry for quality horror, no matter the season.

This shift means that January is now a prime month for breakout horror hits, often allowing them to dominate the box office before the big summer blockbusters arrive. So, don't let the calendar fool you; January 2026 could be the start of another fantastic year for genre films, thanks to Walter Hamada and Paramount's smart scheduling and understanding of the current horror market. They're clearly confident in Primate's ability to deliver the goods.

The film is produced by Walter Hamada, John Hodges, and Bradley Pilz, with executive production handled by a strong team including Vicki Dee Rock, Nathan Samdahl (representing 18Hz), Johannes Roberts himself, Pete Chiappetta, Anthony Tittanegro, and Andrew Lary. It's a stacked team bringing this truly primal fear to vivid, horrifying life.

A Glimpse Beyond 'Primate': More Spine-Chilling Films from 18Hz Productions

Beyond the killer chimp, 18Hz Productions has a seriously exciting slate brewing under this renewed deal. Hamada’s vision for diverse, impactful horror is clearly taking shape, promising us a future full of different kinds of scares. Here's a look at what else you can expect to haunt your dreams from this prolific partnership:

An Untitled Chiller from Acclaimed Director Andrè Øvredal

Fans of atmospheric and intelligent horror will be thrilled to hear about an upcoming untitled horror film from director Andrè Øvredal. If his work on critically acclaimed films like The Autopsy of Jane Doe and Trollhunter is any indication, we're in for something truly unsettling and unique. The film boasts an intriguing cast, starring Jacob Scipio, Lou Llobell, and the legendary, Oscar-winning Melissa Leo, which is an exciting combination of talent right there. Zachary Donohue and T.W. Burgess penned the script, while Hamada and Gary Dauberman (via Coin Operated) are producing, with Nathan Samdahl from 18Hz executive producing. Plot details are still tightly under wraps, adding to the mystery, but knowing Øvredal’s track record, expect a fresh take on terror that will stick with you long after the credits roll.

'Familiar': When the Invitee Becomes the Horrific Resident

Next up on the chilling roster is Familiar, directed by Caye Casas, known for his distinctive work on films like The Coffee Table. This one sounds like it dives deep into the psychological dread of domestic horror, turning the comfort of home into a place of fear. Based on an original script by Julien Magnat, Familiar tells the chilling story of a single mother who unknowingly invites an evil entity into her home. We've all had those moments where something just doesn't feel right in our house, right? Now imagine that feeling magnified by ten, with a malevolent presence actively lurking and terrorizing. Walter Hamada produces this promising project, with Nick Romano serving as executive producer. This could be the kind of slow-burn, atmospheric horror that gets under your skin and stays there, making you second-guess every creak and shadow in your own living space.

Reimagining a Disturbing Cult Classic: 'Suffer Little Children'

Perhaps one of the most intriguing and potentially unsettling projects on the 18Hz slate is Suffer Little Children. This film is a bold reimagining of the 1976 Spanish cult horror classic, Who Can Kill a Child?. The original, directed by Narciso Ibáñez Serrador and based on the novel El Juego de los Niños by Juan José Plans, followed a British couple on a remote island who slowly discover that all the adults have been brutally murdered by the island’s children. It was a groundbreaking and deeply disturbing film for its time, known for its unflinching portrayal of psychological horror and palpable dread. Director and writer Rodrigue Huart (who recently won the Midnight Short Jury Award at SXSW 2024 for his modern vampire story Transylvanie, and has directed other impactful horror films like Trigger and Real) is at the helm for this modern take. While specific plot details for the remake are still a secret, the premise alone is enough to send shivers down your spine. Hamada is producing alongside rightsholder Pablo Cruz of Canana, with Nick Romano also executive producing. Get ready for some seriously unsettling killer kid vibes, updated for a new, unsuspecting generation!

The Future of Horror Looks Incredibly Bright (and Dark) at Paramount

With Walter Hamada and 18Hz Productions firmly in place, Paramount Pictures is clearly positioning itself as a major player in the horror landscape for years to come. Their shrewd focus on low-to-mid-budget genre films allows for creative risks and the potential for huge returns, a strategy that has proved incredibly successful for horror time and again. This isn’t just about making movies; it’s about crafting experiences that resonate deeply with horror fans, delivering diverse scares, and discovering new, talented voices within the genre. This approach ensures a healthy ecosystem for horror filmmaking, benefiting both creators and audiences.

From a rabid chimpanzee tearing through a tropical vacation spot to an ancient evil invited into a family home and a chilling reimagining of a cult classic, the upcoming slate is packed with variety and promises to explore different facets of fear. This renewed partnership signals a strong commitment to quality and innovation in horror, ensuring that audiences will have plenty of reasons to head to the theater or cozy up on their couch for a terrifying night in. Keep your eyes peeled and your lights on, because 18Hz Productions and Paramount are just getting started, and the future of horror looks wonderfully, terrifyingly dark!

Frequently Asked Questions About Paramount's Latest Horror Slate

When does the horror movie Primate release in theaters? Primate is scheduled to be released in US theaters on January 9, 2026. For audiences in the UK, it will hit cinemas on January 30, 2026. Where can I expect to watch Primate after its theatrical run? The film will have an exclusive theatrical release initially. While the specific long-term streaming platform isn't explicitly stated, given Paramount's deal includes both theatrical and streaming distribution, it's highly probable it will eventually arrive on Paramount+ or another major streaming service. What kind of movies does Walter Hamada's 18Hz Productions primarily focus on creating? Walter Hamada and 18Hz Productions primarily focus on developing and producing low-to-mid-budget genre films, with a strong emphasis on horror, for both theatrical and streaming distribution. This strategy allows for creative freedom and efficient production. What other horror movies are currently in the pipeline from Hamada's 18Hz Productions at Paramount? Besides Primate, 18Hz Productions has an exciting slate that includes an untitled horror film from acclaimed director Andrè Øvredal, Familiar from director Caye Casas (which sounds like a psychological haunting), and Suffer Little Children, a chilling reimagining of the 1976 Spanish cult classic Who Can Kill a Child?. Expect diverse and intense scares! Sources

• The Hollywood Reporter
• Deadline Hollywood
• Variety
• ComicBookMovie.com
• Rue Morgue
• UPI
• Cinelinx
• The Arts Shelf