The horror genre has been on a major upswing lately, and few directors have been as influential in that comeback as Robert Eggers. Known for The Witch, The Lighthouse and Nosferatu, he has carved out a space for films that are unsettling not because of cheap thrills, but because they tap into history, folklore and real human fear. Now he is diving into another classic monster, the werewolf. His next feature, titled Werwulf, is already attracting attention with audiences eager to learn more about the cast, story and when to expect it to hit theatres.

Thankfully, there are assured answers to each query, making Werwulf feel tangible and imposing rather than something uncertain.

Robert Eggers has set Werwulf for Christmas Day 2026, positioning it as a major holiday release for next year. The title will be distributed by Focus Features, which also distributed Nosferatu. The firm has a proven track record with Eggers during the festive corridor, with Nosferatu opening to a powerful $40 million before becoming the highest-grossing film of the filmmaker's career.

Releasing Werwulf in the same window sets the stage for similar box office dominance. What is known about the on-screen team bringing the effort to life, though?

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Eggers’ last film featured two striking star kids among notable Hollywood talents. Werwulf’s ensemble features three players from the same offering.

Werwulf stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the lead, joined by Johnny Depp’s daughter Lily-Rose Depp, as well as Willem Dafoe. The trio appeared together in Nosferatu, making their reunion here especially notable. It is rare to see the same combination of actors carry over to another major project, and their return naturally invites curiosity about how their creative connection might evolve in a brand new story. Whether it brings comfort, challenge, or something unexpected, their pairing adds a compelling layer to the film.

Set in 13th-century England, Werwulf centres on a small rural community shaken when a terrifying creature begins haunting the mist-covered countryside. What the villagers once dismissed as old legends suddenly feels all too real, forcing them to confront whispers of curses, transformation and the beast hiding behind human skin. As fear spreads and folklore turns into a waking nightmare, the story builds toward an eerie, emotionally intense fight for survival.

Werwulf is already shaping up to be a defining chapter in Robert Eggers’ legacy, a project rooted in myth, dread and the kind of atmospheric terror only he can conjure. As anticipation builds, the film’s reunion of familiar faces and its chilling historical setting promise an unforgettable theatrical experience when it finally arrives. And while the wait until Christmas 2026 is undeniably long, there is no scarcity of scary movies to stream in the meantime to keep the adrenaline alive until the howl breaks the silence.

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