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Spooky things are afoot, listeners. Today, going down the sketchy path, running up the stairs when we should be running to the front door. In this episode of The Cinematic Schematic, we review the most talked-about 2026 summer horror movies, including Obsession, Backrooms, Leviticus, and Evil Dead Burn.
2026 Summer Horror Movies are the Story of the Season
It’s been an unbelievable summer for horror. While legacy IP-focused movies like Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, and Supergirl have floundered at the box office, the 2026 summer horror movie offerings of Obsession and Backrooms have younger filmgoers running to the theater like Michael Myers is on their trail. Even the usually reliable Evil Dead sequel is coming up short in cash. This moment feels like the turning of the tide: what was once reliable is now boring, while the bold and unpredictable is suddenly attractive.
Has it all just been internet hype, or has this new wave of 2026 summer horror movie outings changed the game?
Meet the Latest Victims
Hosts Caleb Masters and Laron Chapman are joined by horror movie critic Matt Donato (Daily Dead, Fangoria, Bloody Disgusting) to do a spoilery dive of Obsession, Backrooms, Leviticus, and Evil Dead Burn.
Ice-Breaker Question: 2:15
What do you make of the huge shift in audience appetite, as evidenced by the sensational success we’re seeing with Obsession and Backrooms?
Left: Laron Chapman and Matt Donato
Right: Caleb Masters
Special Guest
Matt Donato
RT-approved Los Angeles-based film critic published on Daily Dead, IGN, SlashFilm, Nerdist, Fangoria, Polygon, Bloody Disgusting, Collider, Atom Insider, Flickering Myth, Dread Central, and Fandom
Co-Founder of Certified Forgotten
Follow Matt on Bluesky
The 2026 Summer Horror Movie Special Rundown
Obession
Spoiler-filled discussion begins: 16:38
Obsession is now available on 4K Blu-ray and PVOD.
According to IMDB, Obsession is described as:
After breaking the mysterious “One Wish Willow” to win his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.
Backrooms
Spoiler-filled discussion begins: 50:01
Backrooms is now available on PVOD.
After a therapist’s patient disappears into a dimension beyond reality, she must venture into the unknown to save him.
Leviticus
Spoiler-filled discussion begins: 1:17:30
Leviticus is now playing in theaters.
Two teenage boys must escape a violent entity that takes the form of the person they desire most – each other.
Evil Dead Burn
Spoiler-filled discussion begins: 1:37:44
Evil Dead Burn is now playing in theaters.
After the loss of her husband, a woman seeks solace with her in-laws. As one by one they transform into deadites, she comes to discover that the vows she took in life – survive even in death.
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