“Why ‘Saw XI’ Has Been Removed from the 2025 Release Calendar: What This Means for Fans”

Jigsaw won’t be hitting theaters in 2025 after all. The long-awaited “Saw XI” is officially off the release calendar. Lionsgate planned to launch this 11th installment of the popular horror franchise on September 26, 2025, but now they’ll be releasing another horror flick, “The Strangers – Chapter 2,” on that date instead.

The future of “Saw XI” remains unclear. Although Lionsgate announced the project in 2023 with Kevin Greutert set to direct, recent comments from screenwriters Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan indicated that very little progress has been made. They mentioned that since submitting their draft in spring 2024, nothing has moved forward.

Despite the uncertainty, fans might take comfort in the words of Billy the Puppet, the franchise’s iconic doll. He recently dismissed rumors of the series ending, stating, “The game is never over.”

The “Saw” series has been a significant part of horror cinema for two decades, raking in over $1 billion globally from ten films. The latest release, “Saw X,” premiered in 2023 and grossed $112 million worldwide. The franchise revolves around Jigsaw, played by Tobin Bell, who orchestrates deadly games to test his victims’ wills to survive. It’s intriguing to note that the series has maintained its appeal, especially considering the rise of intense streaming options.

In contrast, “The Strangers: Chapter 1,” which debuted last summer, earned $48 million despite receiving lackluster reviews. Lionsgate aims to expand this into a trilogy, distinct from the 2008 film starring Liv Tyler. The new film follows a couple, played by Madelaine Petsch and Froy Gutierrez, who face terror from masked assailants during a night in a lonely cabin.

Petsch promises that “The Strangers – Chapter 2” will be even more terrifying. She expressed excitement about the upcoming release, and producers Mark Canton and Courtney Solomon added that the movie will have audiences on the edge of their seats, making it a perfect fit for Halloween.

Notably, with the increasing popularity of horror content on platforms like Netflix and Hulu, it will be interesting to see how theatrical releases like “The Strangers – Chapter 2” compete. In recent years, horror films have consistently topped box office charts, often outperforming other genres.

As the horror landscape evolves, it’s clear that both established franchises and new entries are keeping audiences engaged and on the lookout for the next thrill.



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