Paramount Pictures is officially doubling down on its commitment to mainstream horror, announcing the renewal of its exclusive, multi-year production deal with Walter Hamada’s 18Hz Productions. The Walter Hamada Paramount renewal, confirmed on Thursday, October 16, 2025, guarantees that the veteran producer will continue to spearhead the studio’s output of low-to-mid-budget genre films for both theatrical release and streaming platforms.
The decision highlights Paramount’s satisfaction with Hamada’s horror vision, a strategy built on his successful track record with franchises like The Conjuring and It. Hamada originally signed his deal in late 2022 to build a dedicated horror division, and the successful partnership has continued to yield results. This new Walter Hamada Paramount renewal firmly establishes 18Hz Productions as a critical pillar of the studio’s genre film slate.
The studio made the announcement alongside the debut of the trailer for Primate, a highly-anticipated creature feature produced under the initial partnership that is set for a January 2026 release. Other Hamada-backed projects in development include the remake Suffer Little Children and an untitled film from director André Øvredal. He continues to focus on discovering emerging horror talent.
Paramount executives praise the producer’s skill for delivering financially successful genre films. The Walter Hamada Paramount renewal promises a consistent stream of profitable horror content, aiming to capitalize further on the enormous global appetite for frights. Horror fans can look forward to a strong and steady flow of original scares for the foreseeable future.
