A major release update has arrived for the upcoming horror film Passenger, the latest project from filmmaker André Øvredal, known for genre favorites such as The Autopsy of Jane Doe, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and The Last Voyage of the Demeter.
According to new reports, Paramount Pictures has moved the film’s theatrical release date to May 22, 2026, shifting it into the competitive Memorial Day weekend window. The film had previously been scheduled for May 29, but the change positions it for one of the biggest moviegoing weekends of the year.
The earlier release date also strategically places Passenger a week ahead of the highly anticipated A24 horror film Backrooms, avoiding a direct box-office clash between the two genre titles. Director Øvredal expressed excitement about the decision, noting that landing a Memorial Day weekend slot represents a strong vote of confidence from the studio.
While plot details for Passenger remain mostly under wraps, the project has already generated strong interest among horror fans due to Øvredal’s track record for atmospheric storytelling and unsettling supernatural themes. His previous films have blended psychological tension with haunting imagery, earning him a devoted following within the genre community.
With the new release date confirmed, anticipation is building as fans await the first full trailer and additional story details in the coming months. If the director’s past work is any indication, Passenger could become one of the standout horror releases of summer 2026.
