Get ready to scream for ice cream—but not in the way you’re used to. Eli Roth, the mastermind behind horror classics like Cabin Fever and Hostel, is back with what he calls his ‘most terrifying and insane film to date’—Ice Cream Man. And trust us, this isn’t your childhood ice cream truck jingle. The first look and cast reveal have just dropped, and it’s already sending chills down our spines. But here’s where it gets controversial: can a beloved summer icon like the ice cream man truly become the stuff of nightmares? Roth thinks so, and he’s assembled a killer cast to prove it.
Leading the charge is Ari Millen (Orphan Black), who steps into the chilling role of the titular ice cream man. He’s joined by Benjamin Byron Davis (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), Karen Cliche (Thanksgiving), Dylan Hawco (Heartland), Sarah Abbott (Black Mirror, The Body), Shiloh O’Reilly (Thanksgiving), Kiori Mirza Waldman, Charlie Zeltzer (The Handmaid’s Tale), and Charlie Storey (Thanksgiving). Oh, and did we mention Roth himself is part of the cast? Talk about a family affair—a horror family, that is.
But wait, there’s more. Snoop Dogg, Roth’s collaborator on the upcoming horror flick Don’t Go in That House, Bitch!, is lending his musical talents to the film. Yes, you read that right. Snoop Dogg. In a horror movie about an ice cream man. And this is the part most people miss: Roth has been sitting on this idea for over two decades. Now, with this insanely talented team, he’s finally bringing it to life—and it’s as twisted as you’d expect.
Set in a seemingly perfect summer town, Ice Cream Man takes a dark turn when the local ice cream man starts serving up treats with horrifying consequences. Principal photography wrapped in September, and the film is slated for a wide theatrical release in 2026. If you’re already itching to see it, you’re not alone—the film sold out nearly worldwide after its market debut in Cannes. StudioCanal’s Sixth Dimension snagged distribution rights for the U.K., Germany, France, Benelux, Poland, Australia, and New Zealand. Not bad for a movie about ice cream, right?
Behind the scenes, Roth teamed up with longtime collaborator Noah Belson to write the script, and the film is produced by Roth, Christopher Woodrow, Raj Singh, and Kate Harrison of Cream Productions. Executive producers include Kevin Frakes, Connor DiGregorio, Eli Massillon, Lorenzo Antonucci, Jon Schnaars, and Holly Adams. This marks Roth’s first project under The Horror Section, his new production banner founded in partnership with Media Capital Technologies.
To amp up the scares, Emmy-winning composer Brandon Roberts is handling the score, while prosthetic makeup effects are in the hands of Steve Newburn (Thanksgiving) and Oscar winner Adrien Morot (The Whale). With this dream team, Ice Cream Man is shaping up to be a horror fan’s worst—and best—nightmare.
But here’s the real question: Can Ice Cream Man redefine the horror genre, or will it melt under the pressure of its own hype? Let us know what you think in the comments. And while you’re at it, tell us—what’s the scariest everyday thing you could imagine turning into a horror movie? Because if an ice cream man can do it, anything is fair game.
