Grave Encounters Reboot Announced with Justin Long Set to Star
For years, Grave Encounters has held a quiet but loyal place in the hearts of horror fans. Released in 2011, the film blended the then-burgeoning found footage craze with supernatural horror in a way that struck a chord with those who stumbled across it.
Despite a modest reception at the time, its reputation has grown steadily through streaming, word of mouth, and cult fandom. Now, that small horror gem is being resurrected for a new generation, as Variety confirms that a full reboot is officially underway.
What makes this announcement particularly exciting is the team behind it. Original creators Colin Minihan and Stuart Ortiz, collectively known as The Vicious Brothers, are back on board to develop the project. They aren’t simply handing the reins over to someone else — they’re directly involved in shaping this reimagining, which should reassure fans who have long considered the first film an underrated classic.
Adding even more buzz to the project is the involvement of actor Justin Long, who has become something of a modern horror icon in his own right. From Jeepers Creepers (2001) to Barbarian (2022), Long has built a career on balancing boy-next-door charm with chilling genre performances. He will take centre stage in the new Grave Encounters, with his wife Kate Bosworth producing. The pair recently worked with Minihan on his horror comedy Coyotes, and according to both, the collaboration was so creatively rewarding that they wanted to reunite as soon as possible.
In a joint statement, Long and Bosworth explained:
“Our creative connection with Colin was undeniable on Coyotes and we wanted to continue that relationship as quickly as possible. He is a very rare combination of brilliant filmmaker and fun collaborator, and we are thrilled to help him resurrect a new imagining of one of his first horror gems. Grave Encounters has such a passionate fan base, and we include ourselves among them. We hope to honour the legacy of the original film, while unleashing something even darker.”
Minihan and Ortiz themselves reflected on the project with a sense of nostalgia and excitement:
“We made Grave Encounters in our 20s on a self-financed shoestring budget, and it scared the hell out of people. Justin has defined genre cinema for over a decade and is the definitive scream king. He’s the perfect choice to reimagine Grave Encounters for a new generation.”
For those unfamiliar, the original Grave Encounters followed a team of ghost-hunting reality TV hosts who lock themselves inside a supposedly haunted psychiatric hospital to film an episode. As the night wears on, the crew discover the horrors within are not staged — they’re terrifyingly real. Its mix of claustrophobic atmosphere, creepy imagery, and relentless tension won fans over, leading to a sequel in 2012.
The reboot offers a chance not just to update the visuals with modern techniques, but also to expand on the concept for today’s horror audience. With found footage enjoying another wave of popularity thanks to titles like Deadstream and V/H/S/85, the timing feels perfect. The inclusion of Justin Long, described by the creators as a “scream king,” also signals that the new version will likely balance genuine scares with a performance capable of grounding the chaos.
Production on the reboot is expected to begin next year, with further casting announcements and story details likely to follow soon. For now, horror fans can only speculate on what changes might be made. Will the setting remain a derelict asylum? Will the reboot stick to a traditional found footage style, or experiment with a hybrid approach? With the original creators involved, one thing seems certain: the spirit of Grave Encounters will remain intact.
More than a decade after its release, the original film still manages to find new viewers through streaming and late-night recommendations. With the reboot on the horizon, there’s a strong chance this overlooked gem could finally reach the mainstream recognition it deserves.
Stay tuned for updates as the project develops — and maybe revisit the original before the reboot slithers its way into production.
