As evidenced by breakout hits likeM3GAN,horror-comedieshave done well at the box office in recent years. 2025 alone is starting off strong, as there have already been two relatively successful horror-comedies. The first of these was Drew Hancock’s dark comedyCompanion, which grossed $36.7 million on its $10 million budget during its February run. February also saw the release of the horror-comedyStephen King adaptationfilmThe Monkey.Being made on a $10 million budget,The Monkeyended up doing even better thanCompanion, raking in $68.3 million.
While the 21st-century horror comedy may be growing in popularity, the subgenre has been around for many decades. One notable era for horror comedy was the 1990s. This decade bred some iconic horror-comedies and spoof movies, an example being the 1997 Luis Llosa movieAnaconda.Anacondais being remadefor a modern audience this year, with a cast including Jack Black and Paul Rudd. Another ’90s horror-comedy was almost made by theHappy Death Daydirector, but production has now stopped.
Arachnophobia Is No Longer Being Remade
Its Stoppage Was Caused By Creative Differences
The remake ofArachnophobiais no longer in development.Arachnophobiawas originally a1990 horror-comedyabout anew species of South American spider that accidentally makes its way to a California town. The film was directed by Frank Marshall and featured a leading cast including Jeff Daniels, Julian Sands, John Goodman, Brian McNamara, and Stuart Pankin. The film was produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment. Decades after the Daniels-led film was released, anArachnophobiaremake was announced.
PerVanity Fair, theArachnophobiaremake has now halted development. According to would-be director Christopher Landon, he and Amblin had a creative disagreement. Landon notes that “there was a component that the studio was very nervous about and uncomfortable with.” The director did not provide any more details about this contentious element. Regardless, this means thatArachnophobiais no longer in production. Check out the full quote from Landon below:
“There was a component that the studio was very nervous about and uncomfortable with—and that’s where we parted. I wasn’t willing to compromise on that. I wasn’t going to make a change that really felt like a soul-crushing, sell-out, bad change.”
What This Means For Arachnophobia
The Movie Could Have Been Close To Done
One unfortunate element of theArachnophobiascrapping is thatthe script had already been completed. The movie’s development, made in collaboration with Landon and Amblin, was first announced almost three full years ago, in June 2022. By early 2023, Landon had completed the script. As such, if Amblin had not had the creative dispute with Landon, it would have been likely that the remake would come sooner rather than later. Instead, audiences will never get to see the bold choices that Landon wanted to make.
Arachnophobia
Cast
Arachnophobia (1990) is a horror-comedy directed by Frank Marshall. The film follows a small-town doctor, played by Jeff Daniels, who discovers a deadly new species of spider that unleashes terror on the community. John Goodman co-stars as an eccentric exterminator brought in to combat the arachnid menace. The film combines elements of suspense and humor to depict the struggle against an unexpected and lethal infestation.
