Blumhouse to Make 'Something is Killing the Children' Horror Comic Series and Film

In a close bid, Blumhouse acquired the adaptation rights from the popular horror comic Something is Killing the Childrenof James Tynion IV, Werther Dell'Edera y Boom! Studios,

Blumhouse's plans, according to information from THR, are to continue with the development of a previously launched live-action series, as well as a film adaptation.

The company will develop the franchise simultaneously as a live-action film and as an adult animated television series.

The television adaptation will be directed by Tynion.

The source reveals some details of the Blumhouse acquisitionsaying that both Lionsgate and Netflix sought to acquire the rights, drawing attention to the streamer's interest, since the platform had previously been developing a series of Something is Killing the Childrenwith support from Mike Flanagan, Bran bo Odar and Jantje Friese (Dark), which ended up being discarded at the end of 2024.

Now, Blumhouse was “more aggressive” in its acquisition plan, and ended up winning the bid over Netflix. Blumhouse's enthusiasm for a world where children can see monsters, but adults cannot, is one of the big reasons they wanted to acquire the rights. The commercial and critical success of Weapons by Zach Cregger, was another reason.

Jason Blum of Blumhouse will produce the feature film alongside Stephen Christy y Toned de Boom! Studios y Penguin Random House. Shaun Sutton y Ryan Turek of Blumhouse will be executive producers, with Adam Yoelin y Mette Norkjaer.

The animated series for adults will feature Toned as executive producer and Of Ivy as co-executive producer. Christy will be executive producer of the series for BOOM!, with Adam Yoelin y Mette Norkjaer as co-executive producers.

“The first story arc of Something is Killing the Childrentold of a town plagued by monsters that prey on children, with a teenage survivor telling stories that no adult believes. Enter: a mysterious young woman named Erica Slaughter. The woman, who occasionally converses with her stuffed animal, is not there to mince words, but to harass the monsters. Subsequent stories have opened up a world that includes a monster extermination cabal and their sinister policies.”

Upon its release in September 2019, it became the best-selling horror comic since The Walking Dead and the best-seller on the indie scene since Sagawith the first issue selling more than 175,000 copies in various editions. The comic has sold more than 5 million since its launcha rare feat in modern publishing.

El spinoff, House of Slaughteralso written by Tynion, is another bestseller. After the acquisition of BOOM! Studios by Penguin Random House in 2024, the publisher has committed to publishing 100 issues, ensuring the series' presence on shelves for the next decade.