25 Years Later, ‘Camp Blood’ Returns to Deck the Halls with Carnage

The killer clown of Camp Blackwood is back, and this time he’s bringing mayhem to the holidays. Camp Blood Christmas, the latest addition to the long-running cult horror franchise, will make its world premiere on 25 October at the historic Capitol Theatre in Cleveland before hitting home video next month. The release coincides with the 25th anniversary of the original Camp Blood, which first carved its way into the hearts of horror fans in 2000.

Produced by indie horror veteran David Sterling in partnership with distributor Future Video, Camp Blood Christmas reimagines the notorious summer camp as a winter wonderland gone horribly wrong. In the film, a new owner attempts to turn the site’s bloody past into a family-friendly Christmas attraction, only for the camp’s dark legacy to reawaken. The project marks the feature writing and directing debut of Matthew Dilts-Williams, who also penned the screenplay.

The cast includes Alyssa Wexler, Adelle Tucke, Allison Egan (Thrust), James L. Edwards (Her Name Was Christa), David C. Hayes (Rottentail), and cult horror regular Jessa Jupiter Flux (Murdercise, Shark Exorcist 2). Shot on location in Cleveland and North Canton, Ohio, the film combines the nostalgic grit of low-budget 2000s slashers with a self-aware seasonal edge that nods to both Black Christmas and Silent Night, Deadly Night.

For Dilts-Williams, the project represents a full-circle moment. The filmmaker grew up renting the original Camp Blood on VHS, never expecting to one day take the reins of the series himself. Now, as the franchise enters its second quarter-century, he’s aiming to bring it to a new generation of cult cinema fans while embracing its scrappy origins.

The Camp Blood series has built a reputation as one of the most enduring names in underground horror, spanning 15 entries and numerous spinoffs released through both physical and digital formats. Known for its masked killer, its over-the-top gore and its DIY spirit, the franchise remains a staple among collectors of VHS-era slashers.

Following its Cleveland premiere, Camp Blood Christmas will receive a limited-edition home video rollout through Future Video. A festive red-and-green VHS edition will arrive on 11 November, followed by a Blu-ray release on 18 November. Both formats are available for pre-order through Future Video’s website, adding another collectable chapter to one of horror’s most unlikely success stories.

Tickets for the world premiere screening on 25 October are available through the Capitol Theatre box office and online via Cleveland Cinemas and Fandango.

Camp Blood Christmas trailer