V/H/S/Halloween: The Perfect 100% Score That Redefines The Horror Franchise

The V/H/S series has long held a chaotic, unpredictable place in horror. Since its 2012 debut, it has balanced raw handheld footage with daring short stories designed to unsettle even the boldest genre fans.

The newest entry, V/H/S/Halloween, has shattered expectations, earning a stunning 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 18 critic reviews. It’s a first for the franchise and a massive achievement for modern found footage horror.

Arriving on Shudder just in time for the Halloween season, V/H/S/Halloween serves as the eighth main installment in the anthology and follows the acclaimed V/H/S/Beyond from 2024.

The film includes five haunting segments tied together through a Halloween-themed wraparound story. Each segment offers something distinct under the guidance of six talented filmmakers, merging nostalgia and innovation with ambitious storytelling.

Meet the Visionaries Behind the Frights

A large part of this film’s success lies in its roster of directors. Bryan M. Ferguson, known for pushing visual boundaries in his music videos, crafts a segment that reportedly leaves a lasting impact. Anna Zlokovic, after her sleeper hit Appendage, returns to body horror with psychological depth and emotional tension.

Horror veteran Paco Plaza, one of the minds behind the [REC] franchise, brings his mastery of the found footage technique back to terrifying effect. Casper Kelly, famed for Adult Swim Yule Log, offers one of the anthology’s most bizarre yet chilling stories.

Alex Ross Perry, who directed Her Smell, lends his storytelling precision and character-driven focus to a segment that adds emotional gravity. Finally, Micheline Pitt-Norman and R.H. Norman, the duo behind Cosmetic, deliver stylized horror with meticulous attention to atmospheric detail.

Every director adds their own creative stamp, yet all maintain a cohesive Halloween tone. Reviewers have praised the anthology for balancing experimental filmmaking with a strong emotional throughline, resulting in the series’ most polished collection of shorts to date.

The Franchise’s Evolving Track Record

Over more than a decade, V/H/S has delivered uneven but intriguing results. The Rotten Tomatoes scores across the series illustrate how much this franchise has grown, making V/H/S/Halloween’s flawless debut all the more impressive:

Only a few of the earlier installments achieved “Fresh” ratings, but since V/H/S/94, the franchise has been experiencing a creative resurgence, setting the groundwork with improved production and storytelling, while Halloween now perfects that formula.

Critics from outlets such as Daily Dead and Bloody Disgusting have highlighted how the series has not lost its edge despite its age. Daily Dead’s Emily von Seele gave the film a rare perfect score, describing it as a reward for longtime fans who have stuck with the series through its experimental highs and lows.

Why Critics Are Enthralled by V/H/S/Halloween

So, what earned V/H/S/Halloween its stellar rating? Reviewers agree it delivers something often missing in anthology horror: a consistent level of quality across all segments.

VHS Halloween (Credit: Bloody Disgusting)

The film merges raw found footage energy with professional-grade direction, giving it a polished yet authentic look. The cinematography enhances the sense of immediacy while allowing viewers to actually follow the story, a balance that earlier entries struggled to find.

Beyond visuals, the writing stands out for its thematic cohesion. The Halloween setting unites every short, bringing emotional continuity that feels absent in earlier films.

Instead of merely stacking scares, each story reflects on fear, tradition, and mortality. Critics note that this deeper meaning adds tension without sacrificing fun.

Another factor is the film’s sound design and pacing. Each segment maintains a brisk tempo without relying on excessive jump scares. This restraint, paired with unpredictable twists, helps sustain suspense while keeping the anthology exciting from start to finish.

Audience Response Could Seal Its Legacy

While the critical reception has been outstanding, the final judgment will come from viewers. Historically, V/H/S installments have performed slightly lower among audiences compared to critics. But with the buzz around V/H/S/Halloween, expectations are higher than ever.

Streaming exclusively on Shudder, it stands to reach an audience already enthusiastic for experimental horror anthologies.

If audience reactions mirror critic enthusiasm, V/H/S/Halloween could make history as the first V/H/S film to hold both a perfect Tomatometer and a strong Popcornmeter rating. Fans across Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) are already praising early screenings, calling it “the best found footage movie in years” and “a Halloween night essential.”

The timing of the release is perfect: a spooky anthology premiering during the October rush is bound to gain traction across horror forums and streaming charts. As Halloween approaches, more viewers will likely tune in, determining whether its critical perfection translates into cultural impact.

A New Benchmark for Modern Horror Anthologies

V/H/S/Halloween marks a culmination of the franchise’s creative rebirth throughout the 2020s. If it retains its perfect Rotten Tomatoes rating, it will become the fourth “Certified Fresh” entry after 94, 99, and Beyond. More importantly, it positions the V/H/S brand as one of horror’s most innovative anthology series of the decade.

This success also validates Shudder’s continued investment in anthology horror, proving that the format is alive and thriving when paired with bold direction and strong storytelling. The film celebrates weirdness, nostalgia, and pure terror in equal measure, traits that define both Halloween itself and the found footage movement.

Years after found footage seemed to have lost its edge, V/H/S/Halloween shows that creative passion can transform a familiar format into something refreshingly frightening. It’s more than a sequel; it’s a statement that the V/H/S experiment isn’t just surviving, it’s leading the charge in modern horror innovation.

After two decades of excitement and fan speculation, Freakier Friday has returned to screens in a fresh yet familiar way. Directed by Nisha Ganatra, this is the fifth entry in the iconic Freaky Friday lineup and the first official sequel that continues the storyline, rather than retelling it.

The movie scored a Certified Fresh 74% on Rotten Tomatoes, marking strong critical approval for its balanced take on nostalgia and originality.

The physical media release will follow on November 11, hitting formats like 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD. Fans will also find a special two-film bundle featuring both Freakier Friday and the 2003 Freaky Friday, giving that unmistakable generational connection.

For many who grew up with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis’s 2003 performance, seeing the duo back together is both nostalgic and exciting. Yet the sequel isn’t purely a throwback.

It introduces new layers of humor, updated references, and heartfelt storytelling that shows how Anna and Tess’s relationship has evolved over time.

Bonus Features That Fans Will Love

Disney didn’t stop at simply releasing the movie. The digital and Blu-ray editions come loaded with extras worth celebrating. Each feature highlights the film’s fun, energy, and creative depth, turning the home release into an event rather than just another rewatch.

Deleted scenes form a significant highlight. Fans can check out unseen moments such as “Trevor’s New Song,” “Anna Cancels Wedding,” “Pickleball Team Announcements,” “Malibu,” and “Eric Reads Tess’s Books.”

These additions bring interesting insight into character growth while giving fans a feel for what could have been part of the final cut.

Featurettes are equally rewarding. “Making Things Freakier” reunites the returning cast members as they share reflections on reprising their iconic roles.

Behind-the-scenes segments explore how they mastered each other’s mannerisms once again, adding to the movie’s comedic magic. It’s more than just nostalgia; it’s a celebration of enduring chemistry and cinematic teamwork.

“Where Were You When…” connects past and present generations of fans by showing the original 2003 cast reminiscing about filming days and how far the franchise has come. Writer Jordan Weiss adds an anecdote that perfectly captures how deep the fandom still runs for Freaky Friday more than twenty years later.

Adding a playful twist, “Flashback Friday” reveals Easter eggs and callbacks from the 2003 version, while the “Baby” lyric music video blends movie clips with behind-the-scenes moments. It’s a sentimental yet fun finale to this jam-packed collection of bonuses.

Timing That Benefits the Sequel

Choosing an October 7 digital launch may prove to be one of Disney’s most calculated moves this year. Although the date lands just a few days after October 3, known affectionately among fans as “Mean Girls Day” the Freakier Friday team gave a clever nod by tying that date into the story itself.

Anna and her fiancé, Eric, chose October 3 as their wedding date, adding an Easter egg that fans immediately noticed.

Even with this minor distance from “Mean Girls Day,” the release timing works cleverly in Disney’s favor. The film arrives during a gap in theatrical comedy releases, with no major competitors in the same category.

Freakier Friday (Credit: Gunn Films)

Positioned between two weekends with light box office activity, Freakier Friday becomes the perfect choice for home audiences seeking lighthearted entertainment before the mid-October rush of releases like Aziz Ansari’s Good Fortune.

Meanwhile, Disney’s own Tron: Ares arrives on October 10, but these two titles target completely different crowds.

Freakier Friday appeals to family audiences and fans of nostalgic comedy, while Tron: Ares serves sci-fi enthusiasts. Staggering them ensures both can draw attention simultaneously without competing for the same viewers.

The timing also suits the streaming era well. Freakier Friday will likely thrive on digital charts, especially since it’s launching during a quieter release window when household viewership is strong.

Why Freakier Friday Still Matters

The Freaky Friday story has been retold many times since its original 1972 book by Mary Rodgers, but its message remains timeless: understanding others by stepping into their shoes.

Freakier Friday keeps this core intact while modernizing every detail. Anna, now a successful woman juggling career and love, faces adulthood’s new challenges, while Tess finds herself learning that motherhood evolves even after children grow up.

The performances once again stand out as the movie’s beating heart. Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis share electric chemistry that only decades of familiarity can produce.

Their ability to balance slapstick humor with emotional sincerity brings warmth to the film. Critics have applauded Nisha Ganatra’s direction for maintaining this balance, ensuring laughs never outweigh the heartfelt tone that defines the franchise.

Beyond its central duo, supporting actors shine too. Manny Jacinto adds both comedic timing and tenderness as Eric, while fresh faces round out a vibrant supporting cast that bridges new audiences with longtime fans.

What the Digital Debut Means for Disney’s Future

Box office results show Freakier Friday earned $152.3 million globally against a $45 million budget. That’s an impressive figure, placing it among Disney’s higher-grossing live-action films of the year.

However, it still trails behind the 2003 film’s $160.8 million, or roughly $282.2 million when adjusted for inflation. Still, with a strong digital campaign and bonus content fueling interest, the home release could make up the difference.

Its digital success might also influence Disney’s approach to future sequels. Though Freakier Friday’s ending doesn’t explicitly tease a follow-up, it leaves just enough space for possibilities. If digital sales perform above projections, fans may yet see a trilogy conclusion that brings the family dynamic full circle once again.

The franchise’s enduring popularity shows that audiences still crave light-hearted comedy wrapped in relatable family moments.

When done right, nostalgic sequels can feel less like cash-grabs and more like celebrations of pop culture history. With its mix of humor, charm, and genuine emotion, Freakier Friday fits perfectly into this modern wave of respectful reimaginings.

This home release not only highlights how much the characters have grown but also affirms Disney’s continued skill at balancing remembrance with renewal.

As longtime fans gather for family movie nights and younger viewers discover the story for the first time, Freakier Friday proves that some bonds like those between mothers and daughters need no expiration date.