Another childhood classic is heading straight into nightmare territory, Aladdin: The Monkey’s Paw is the latest in a string of twisted reimaginings that take beloved stories and give them a brutal, blood-curdling horror spin.
Inspired by the timeless tale made famous by Disney in 1992, and again in Guy Ritchie’s 2019 live-action version, this version strips away the singing carpets and wish-granting genies in favor of a cursed relic and a demonic force that feeds on desire.
In this new horror adaptation, Aladdin is no longer a street-smart hero in Agrabah, but a modern-day Londoner who inherits an ancient monkey’s paw rumored to grant wishes. The twist? Every wish comes with a soul-crushing cost. As the bodies stack up and the curse tightens its grip, Aladdin finds himself battling not just his own ambitions, but an escalating evil that wants far more than three simple wishes.
The film is being produced by Empire Studios, Every Entertainment, and 8th Law Pictures, with Bradley Stryker (of Terrifier 3 fame) directing. The cast includes Queen of the South’s Nick Sagar, former EastEnders star Ricky Norwood, and Tell Me Everything’s Montana Manning. No word yet on who’s playing the haunted lead, but expectations are already high.
Stryker promises an experience that blends “fun” and “diabolical” in equal parts. “This film is all about the highs and lows of dreams and desires,” he said. “And then we slam that into a genre film in which the stakes have never been more entertaining or deadly.”
Screenwriter Charley McDougall adds that The Monkey’s Paw taps into the emotional horror of wanting too much. “We always wanted to explore horror through a personal lens,” he said. “Not just the scares, but the human cost of wishes. This story’s been haunting us for a while, and now it’s time to let it loose.”
Production is set to begin in the UK next month, with the film aiming for a theatrical release in October 2025, perfect timing for spooky season.
Aladdin: The Monkey’s Paw joins a growing trend of family-friendly characters being reimagined as horror icons. Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey turned the Hundred Acre Wood into a bloodbath. Mickey’s Mouse Trap gave Steamboat Willie a murderous upgrade. Now, it’s Aladdin’s turn to go dark, and this time, no one’s getting a happily ever after.
Whether this wave of twisted nostalgia is clever commentary or just shock value cinema, it’s clear audiences can’t look away. And with a cursed paw promising everything you’ve ever wanted, at the ultimate price, this Aladdin might be the most dangerous wish-fulfillment story yet.