Blumhouse picks up "Something is Killing the Children" Film and Animated Series

Blumhouse Developing “Something Is Killing the Children” as Feature Film and Animated Series

ByAlicia Fournier

In a bold move sure to excite fans of darkness and monsters, Blumhouse Productions has announced that it is developing “Something Is Killing the Children” as both a feature film and an adult animated series. The acclaimed horror comic from BOOM! Studios has garnered a large following for its brutal monsters, fearless heroine, and chilling premise — now it’s set to expand into two very different mediums at once.

The Source Material: A Comic Phenomenon

Originally published in 2019 by BOOM! Studios, “Something Is Killing the Children“ is the brainchild of writer James Tynion IV and artist Werther Dell’Edera. In an article on BOOM! Studios, “Set in a world where children can see monsters, but adults cannot, Something is Killing the Children tells the story of Erica Slaughter, a monster hunter from a mysterious organization more concerned with keeping the secret of monsters from the world than saving their victims.” Its success has been exceptional: the comic sold millions of copies globally, has been translated into many languages, and has spun off into a broader “Slaughterverse” with additional titles.

Why Blumhouse? A Natural Horror Match

Blumhouse is renowned for horror films and has definitive credibility in the genre. Their decision to pick up “Something Is Killing the Children” reflects the comic’s strong alignment with what they do best—fear, suspense, and monsters. In an article from Bloody Disgusting:

“‘Something is Killing the Children is the comic book that changed my life and career forever,’ said James Tynion IV. ‘Finding a partner who understood the potential of Erica Slaughter and world Werther Dell’Edera and I have built was crucial, and we have found that partner in Jason Blum. Nobody understands horror better than Blumhouse, and I can’t wait for the world to see what we all have planned together.'”

Tynion will steer the animated series (as executive producer), ensuring creative continuity with the original comic.

Feature Film & Animated Series: Two Paths, One Universe

Feature Film: The live-action film will be produced by Blumhouse alongside BOOM! Studios’ Stephen Christy and James Tynion IV. Co-producers include Werther Dell’Edera, with executive producers such as Adam Yoelin and Mette Norkjaer. The scope remains ambitious: adapting the core premise of children versus monsters, Erica Slaughter’s mission, and the secretive Order of St. George, which lurks in the background.

Adult Animated Series: In parallel, the adaptation into an adult animated series will allow for a different creative expression—potentially darker, more visually stylized, and less constrained by live-action budgets or effects. Tynion is at the helm, with Dell’Edera as co-executive producer and visual consultant. This structure suggests fans may get both a cinematic entry point and a deeper serialized narrative in the animated form.

What It Means for Fans & the Franchise

For existing fans of the comic, this is a long-awaited moment. The property has been under development for years—previously, there were attempts at a series adaptation at Netflix that stalled. With Blumhouse now acquiring the rights and committing to two formats, the project appears to have renewed momentum. The source material’s richness—its mythology of monsters, children’s visions, secret societies, and an anti-heroine with a haunted past—makes it ripe for adaptation in both formats.

The dual-track approach also signals the studio’s belief in building a long-term franchise. With the franchise already committing to at least 100 issues of the comic and a new event series (“Fall of the House of Slaughter” leading up to issue #50) announced, this story world is expanding.

Challenges & What to Watch

While Blumhouse’s announcement is thrilling, there are key questions to monitor:

  • Tone and content: The comic is visceral, brutal, and unflinching. Translating that to live-action without losing its edge (or alienating mainstream audiences) will be challenging.

  • Release strategy and pacing: With both a film and an animated series, how will the narrative be divided? Will they overlap, complement each other, or tell different facets?

  • Casting and creative team: For the live-action feature, especially, who will play Erica Slaughter, and how will the monsters and horror elements be realised?

  • Animation quality and platform: The adult animated series holds potential but will need to match or surpass audience expectations for horror animation.

Final Thoughts

This major announcement from Blumhouse marks a milestone for the “Something Is Killing the Children” franchise and for horror adaptations overall. With both a feature film and adult animated series in development, fans have reason to be excited — and cautiously optimistic that the world of monsters, children, and secrets will be brought to life in a way that honours the bold spirit of the original comic.

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