Release: Tales from the Crypt

 

Tales from the Crypt

Genre: Horror

Directors: Michael Dougherty (Fangs of Fate), Bryan Bertino (The Last Supper), Ti West (Drawn to Death), Til Death Do Us Part (Andy Muschietti)

Writer: Joshua Collins

Based on the television series and EC Comics property

Cast: RJ Cyler, Diedrich Bader, Dan Fogler, Sam Worthington, Katheryn Winnick, Logan Miller, Kathryn Newton, Ryder Allen, Christopher Meloni, Anna Akana, Emilia Clarke, Christoph Waltz, Asher Angel, John Kassir (voice)

Budget: $32,000,000

Domestic Box Office: $30,770,563

Foreign Box Office: $18,139,592

Total Profit: -$11,300,995

Reaction: Even with a brand name attached, horror (or really any genre) anthology films are tough thing to sell to modern audiences on the big screen.

"As an anthology, Tales from the Crypt is predictably uneven, with strong premises that don’t always stick the landing. Some segments feel rushed, while others overstay their welcome, and the tonal shifts between horror and comedy don’t always blend smoothly. The cast is game—particularly Dan Fogler and Emilia Clarke—but a few stories lean too heavily on familiar “twist” endings. It’s fun in spurts, but lacks consistency." - Robert Avery, San Jose Mercury

"The biggest problem with Tales from the Crypt isn’t any one segment—it’s the format itself. By returning to a patchwork anthology, the film abandons the stronger, feature-length storytelling approach of earlier entries in favor of a hodgepodge of half-ideas that never fully develop. None of the segments feel fresh or inventive, leaning heavily on familiar “ironic punishment” beats without adding anything new to the formula. Even the Crypt Keeper’s presence, while nostalgic, can’t mask the sense that this is a step backward for the property. What should feel like a revival instead plays like a retread." - Cooper Wilson, The Earl Hays Press

"Tales from the Crypt is a bloody, darkly comedic return to form, capturing the spirit of the original series with a modern edge. The anthology structure works well, with “Fangs of Fate” and “Drawn to Death” standing out as especially creative and satisfying entries. The Crypt Keeper remains the film’s MVP, delivering pun-filled transitions with infectious energy. While not every segment lands equally, the film’s mix of horror, humor, and moral irony makes it a consistently entertaining ride." - Owens Poppins, RogerEbert.com

Rated R for strong bloody violence, gore, sexual content, and language throughout.