Sam Raimi's horror juggernaut is back with a vengeance. Evil Dead Burn, the sixth installment in the iconic franchise, has stormed to the top of HBO Max's U.S. charts just two days after its October 2 release, leaving major new releases like Supergirl and Backrooms in its fiery wake. The film, directed by Sébastien Vaniček and produced by Raimi, is proving that the deadites still have plenty of life left in them.
The sequel picks up directly from the cliffhanger of Evil Dead Rise, focusing on Jessica (Greta van den Brink), who was unknowingly exposed to demonic evil in that film's apartment building. Rather than simply rehashing the Book of the Dead formula, Burn uses Jessica as a catalyst for a new family's nightmare, while also resurrecting Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) and weaving in classic elements like the Kandarian Dagger and Professor Knowby's research. This interconnected approach is turning the franchise into a more serialized saga, hinting at a larger universe where these isolated stories are destined to collide.
The streaming numbers are nothing short of spectacular. Beyond its #1 spot on HBO Max in the U.S., Evil Dead Burn is also trending on Prime Video in Germany, Mexico, and Poland, and has cracked the top charts on Apple TV and Google in dozens of countries. It's also making waves on niche platforms like Rakuten TV, Catchplay, Crave, and friDay, showcasing the power of wide digital distribution in the streaming era. For U.S. fans, it's available on HBO Max, Amazon, Apple TV, and Google for rental or purchase, while international viewers can catch it on their preferred services.
This success is part of a larger trend for the franchise, which has become remarkably efficient at turning modest budgets into box office gold. Evil Dead Burn has already raked in $72.4 million worldwide against a reported $20 million production budget, following in the footsteps of Evil Dead Rise, which earned $147.3 million from just $15 million. This financial prowess is keeping the franchise alive and kicking, with Warner Bros. and New Line already greenlighting the next chapter.
That next chapter is Evil Dead Wrath, written and directed by Francis Galluppi (The Last Stop in Yuma County). Production has wrapped, and the film is slated for an April 7, 2028 release. Raimi and longtime producer Rob Tapert are on board, with Bruce Campbell and Rise director Lee Cronin serving as executive producers. The franchise's ability to attract top talent and maintain its cult status is a testament to its enduring appeal.
For horror fans, this is an exciting time. Evil Dead Burn is not just a sequel; it's a bold new direction that honors the past while forging ahead. As the franchise continues to expand, it's clear that Raimi's creation is far from dead. In fact, it's more alive than ever, dominating streaming charts and proving that even in a crowded market, the deadites can still scare up a win.
If you're looking for more horror to get you in the spooky spirit, check out HBO Max's early spooky season lineup or revisit some hilariously bad '90s horror comedies. And for those who can't get enough of the genre, Train to Busan and its sequel are also hitting streaming this month.
