It starts with a hatch. Three faces peer down—concerned, confused, flashlight in hand. And just below them? A mossy staircase slick with a glowing, parasitic green that practically screams, “Don't go down there.” But of course, they do.
Welcome to Cold Storage, the upcoming sci-fi horror comedy from Studiocanal and Samuel Goldwyn Films, now armed with a teaser trailer and vivid first poster. Set to hit theaters in early 2026, this is one of those films that feels like it's crawling up from the same slimy pit as Zombieland and The Last of Us—but with its own cheeky, chaotic pulse.
Directed by Jonny Campbell (Dracula, Informer), the movie is based on David Koepp's 2019 novel—a pulpy page-turner that always felt ripe for screen adaptation. Koepp, no stranger to high-stakes blockbusters (Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible, Spider-Man), returns to pen the script himself, and this time, he's traded velociraptors for a ravenous, mutating fungus that escapes a top-secret facility.
Yes, it's another biohazard setup. Yes, it leans into infection panic. But don't roll your eyes just yet. The cast is unusually sharp for this kind of genre romp: Joe Keery (Stranger Things) and Georgina Campbell (Barbarian) play the unlucky lab employees caught in the crossfire, while Liam Neeson—clearly relishing the role—appears as a seasoned bioterror operative who knows exactly how bad things can get.
The teaser doesn't give much away. It doesn't have to. All it needs is that single line: “If it spreads, you're dead.” Cue the flashing lights, claustrophobic corridors, and that squelchy sound design that always makes your stomach turn before the monster even appears.
Visually, the film seems to embrace the grotesque with a gleeful sense of humor. The poster alone is a masterclass in color-coded tension: a staircase drenched in eerie greens, laced with fungal veins, and our trio of leads lit from beneath like they're inspecting Pandora's Box. It's a rare thing these days when a teaser poster actually sells a film's tone—but this one does. It feels urgent, icky, and fun.
We're told Cold Storage will screen at “a few horror festivals” this fall—though no specific names have been confirmed yet. But with its pedigree, you can bet it'll land at genre hotspots like Fantastic Fest or Sitges before its early 2026 theatrical run.
If you're getting I Am Legend flashbacks or remembering how The Thing made fungus frightening long before HBO tried it—good. This looks like it wants to play in that sandbox but with a modern dose of lunacy. Less prestige, more pandemonium.
And hey, if the whole thing collapses under its own gooey weight? At least it won't be boring.
What Makes ‘Cold Storage' Worth Watching in 2026
Infection Meets Comedy
Unlike typical outbreak thrillers, Cold Storage mixes fungal horror with screwball energy, courtesy of Koepp's punchy script and the producer of Zombieland.
That Poster Nails the Mood
A glowing green stairwell crawling with spores. Flashlight faces peering down. It's simple, grotesque, and sells the vibe in one shot.
Liam Neeson, Back in Action
Yes, that's Neeson—swapping kidnappers for killer mold. He's grizzled, deadpan, and clearly in on the joke.
A Killer Team Behind the Scenes
From the writer of Jurassic Park and the director of Dracula, the crew behind this movie knows how to build tension—and release it with a laugh.
Festival Circuit Bound
Though dates aren't locked, Cold Storage is expected to infect a few key horror festivals this fall. Keep your hazmat suit ready.
Would you follow Joe Keery into the dark with only a flashlight and Liam Neeson's growl for backup?
Let us know what you think—and whether this fungus thriller is on your must-watch list.
