Aladdin Reimagined in Horror Film

We are undoubtedly in an era of exciting new adaptations, and another one is on the way. A fresh take on the Middle Eastern folktale Aladdin, titled Aladdin: The Monkey’s Paw, will begin filming next month. However, this version is far from the familiar, family-friendly Disney adaptation we fell in love with in 1992.

This new live-action project is described as a "dark, supernatural reimagining" of the original tale. It will feature Nick Sagar, Ricky Norwood, Montana Manning, and Bradley Stryker. Stryker is also producing and directing from a script by Charley McDougall. Filming will take place in the UK, where the story is set.

Deadline shared the official synopsis: "Aladdin, a modern-day Londoner, inherits an ancient monkey's paw said to grant wishes, only to learn that every wish comes with a devastating personal cost. As the people around him fall victim to its curse, he is forced to confront a rising evil—and the demonic presence that feeds on every wish made."

The connection between this classic story and horror appears to be deeply personal for the filmmakers. "We’ve always aimed to explore horror through a deeply personal perspective—not just the scares, but the terrible price paid for every wish," the film’s writer explained in a statement. "This story has stayed with us for a long time, and now it's finally time to share it. The most powerful horror films stay with you long after the movie ends. That's the kind of impact this story has. It's intense, emotional, and full of mounting dread. We aren't just creating another scary movie—we're building a rich world around a truly iconic idea. The paw, the mythology, the characters—it's all woven together."

Disney’s beloved 1992 animated film is probably the most famous and cherished film adaptation of the folktale, but the story has been brought to the screen many times over the years—in both animated and live-action forms, and in various languages. The most recent attempt to modernize the legend was Disney's 2019 live-action remake, which starred Naomi Scott from Smile 2.

A release date for this horror-infused classic has not been announced yet, but we are far too intrigued to miss it when it arrives.