A ‘Dead by Daylight’ Movie Is Officially in Development at Blumhouse

The film adaptation of the popular horror game ‘Dead by Daylight’ has made significant progress. As reported by Variety, Blumhouse, Atomic Monster, and game developer Behaviour Interactive have selected Icelandic filmmaker Thordur Palsson to direct the project.

This announcement coincides with the tenth anniversary of ‘Dead by Daylight’. The game has emerged as one of the most successful multiplayer horror titles in the last decade, amassing a vast global audience and expanding well beyond its initial release.

‘Dead by Daylight’ first launched in 2016 for Windows PC and later expanded to PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and newer console platforms. Over the years, it has attracted over 60 million players worldwide. While initial reviews were mixed, the game steadily gained popularity and cultivated a loyal fanbase through regular updates and new content.

The game follows a straightforward yet intense formula. Five players enter a match, with one player acting as the killer while the other four play as survivors. The survivors must collaborate to repair generators and escape, while the killer hunts them down before they can flee. The action unfolds under the influence of a mysterious supernatural entity known as the Entity.

At launch, players could choose from three original killers. The Trapper utilized deadly bear traps to ensnare victims, The Wraith could vanish from sight, and The Hillbilly terrorized survivors with a chainsaw. Since then, many new killers have been introduced, including characters inspired by iconic horror films, television shows, and video games.

Palsson brings a wealth of experience in both television and horror to the project. According to Variety, he is best known for creating and directing ‘The Valhalla Murders’, Iceland’s first Netflix original series, which premiered in 2020. He also directed the horror feature ‘The Damned’, which had a wide theatrical release in early 2025. Additionally, he is currently working on ‘Avalanche’, a four-part miniseries about a meteorologist who returns to her hometown to warn residents of an impending disaster.

The filmmakers believe Palsson is the ideal choice to bring the game’s universe to the big screen. Jason Blum, founder and CEO of Blumhouse and Atomic Monster, shared his thoughts in a statement provided to Variety.

“There is no better moment than the tenth anniversary to share this news. Thordur is the filmmaker we trust to carry ‘Dead by Daylight’ from the screen you play on to the big screen you watch in theaters.”

The movie is part of a growing ‘Dead by Daylight’ franchise that now extends far beyond gaming. The property has already inspired spin-off video games, comic book series, and a physical board game. The film adaptation is anticipated to be the franchise’s most significant expansion yet.

Details regarding the movie’s plot have yet to be disclosed, and no casting announcements have been made. However, with a director now on board and production moving forward, fans of the long-standing horror game are one step closer to witnessing the chilling world of ‘Dead by Daylight’ on the big screen.

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