Why This 2012 Horror Movie With a 92% Rotten Tomatoes Score Deserves to Launch the Ultimate Franchise

The 2012 horror-comedy film The Cabin in the Woods boasts a remarkable 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and possesses the potential to be a leading horror franchise, if not the best of all time. Following the adventures of five young adults who retreat to the titular cabin, the story quickly escalates as they become entangled in a ritual designed to appease the Ancient Ones and avert an impending apocalypse. This unique blend of thrills and humor has turned The Cabin in the Woods into a cult classic, thanks to its engaging premise, stellar cast, and an unforgettable conclusion.

Despite numerous attempts to replicate the film’s charm, none have succeeded, reinforcing the movie’s status as a standalone masterpiece. Given its rich elements, filmmakers have the chance to revisit its world and develop a new series of films that build upon the original’s themes and aesthetics.

Cabin in the Woods: Potential Spinoffs on a Whiteboard

As the Facility gears up to unleash its monstrous attack on the unsuspecting cabin-goers, employees engage in a casual betting game over which nightmare creature the group will inadvertently release. This playful banter showcases the darkly comedic nature of the film, and while the Zombie Redneck Torture Family is one known option, a total of 32 additional monsters are documented on the Facility’s whiteboard. Among these potential threats are:

Werewolf
Alien beast
Mutants
Wraiths
Zombies
Reptile
Clowns
Witches
Sexy witches
Demons
Hell lords
Angry molesting trees
Giant snake
Deadites
Kevin
Mummy
The Bride
The scarecrow folk
Snowman
Dragonbat
Vampires
Dismembered goblins
Sugarplum fairy
Merman
The reanimated
Unicorn
Huron
Sasquatch/Wendigo/Yeti
Dolls
Jack O’Lantern
Giants
Twins

In addition to these, an impressive 47 more monsters can be spotted during the chaos of the Purge sequence in Cabin in the Woods. These existing entities could serve as formidable antagonists in potential sequels, thus sparing writers the task of inventing entirely new creatures. However, characters like the Deadites and the entities inspired by Left 4 Dead might face licensing complications, although other characters appear unique enough to avoid such issues.

When considering which monsters could make a return, much depends on the creative direction chosen. For a fan-focused approach, beloved creatures like the unicorn, killer robot, and merman could make exciting opponents. If tapping into contemporary trends is the goal, using the sugarplum fairy or the werewolf could resonate with audiences. Additionally, there remains the opportunity to clarify some of the intriguing monster mysteries from the original film, such as shedding light on the doctors, the snowman, or the enigmatic Kevin—ordinary human potential intricacies that deserve exploration.

Drew Goddard’s Take on a Potential Sequel

Despite the film’s rich potential for expansion, Drew Goddard, one of the creators, has expressed hesitance about pursuing a sequel. In a recent interview with Fandango, Goddard explained the challenges they face in moving forward.

He pointed out that the film’s surprise ending has created a narrative dilemma, stating, “It’s not a thing that calls for an easy sequel, I’ll tell you that much.” Additionally, Goddard expressed concerns over diluting the powerful message conveyed by Dana and Marty’s fateful choice to allow the Ancient Ones to unleash destruction upon the world. Neither he nor co-creator Joss Whedon has any intentions of creating a sequel merely for commercial gains.

However, fans can take comfort in the fact that Goddard remains open to the possibility, noting, “I mean, look, I never say never, either.” Thanks to the speculative nature of the story, there is ample time for filmmakers to explore sequels, prequels or spinoff narratives without necessarily bringing back Dana and Marty.

Potential Directions for a Cabin in the Woods Franchise

Monsters wreaking havoc in the underground facility in Cabin In The Woods

With the revelation of the Ancient Ones threatening to end humanity, crafting a continuation of the story might seem challenging. Instead, a prequel could effectively dive deeper into the origin of the Ancient Ones and the background of the various monsters featured within the Facility. This approach could explore past rituals and the intricate lore behind them, which, while potentially somber, would rely on the strong storytelling prowess of Goddard and Whedon.

Alternatively, filmmakers could consider an anthological format that showcases how rituals differ across the globe. As hinted in the original film, the rituals of varying cultures could serve as an exciting backdrop for future franchises. If desired, this method could even evolve into a cohesive monster universe akin to Universal’s Classic Monsters, enriched with sharp wit and satire.

The Timing for a Sequel: Now or Never

The main characters of The Cabin in the Woods standing outside the cabin and looking at it

The time could not be more opportune for Cabin in the Woods 2 to make its debut. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a remarkable surge in the popularity of horror-comedies, with films such as M3GAN, Companion, Lisa Frankenstein, and Heart Eyes capturing audience attention effectively.

Moreover, the unique Cabin in the Woods has witnessed tremendous growth in its fanbase, fueled in part by the widespread sharing of the whiteboard meme, which gained traction during the pandemic. This meme, along with other viral sensations like the Pepe Sylvia meme associated with It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, can be instrumental in attracting even more viewers to a sequel and reigniting interest in the franchise.

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