Dread Central

Last updated

Dread Central
Dread Central logo.png
Type of site
Horror news, interviews, reviews
Available inEnglish
Country of originUnited States
OwnerDread Central Media, LLC
(Epic Pictures Group)
EditorsMary Beth McAndrews, Josh Korngut
URL dreadcentral.com
CommercialYes
LaunchedJuly 4, 2006;18 years ago (2006-07-04)
Current statusOnline

Dread Central is an American website founded in 2006 that is dedicated to horror news, interviews, and reviews. It covers horror films, comics, novels, and toys. Dread Central has won the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award for Best Website four times and was selected as AMC's Site of the Week in 2008.

Contents

History

Dread Central was founded on July 4, 2006. [1] When a venture to create a horror-themed cable television channel stalled, the web team left and established their own news site. [2] [3] In 2012, a negative review posted by Scott Foy attracted controversy when Foy and the film's director, Jim Wynorski, engaged in a verbal altercation online. [4] On September 30, 2019, Jonathan Barkan announced he was stepping down as editor-in-chief. As of December 2021, Mary Beth McAndrews is now Editor-in-Chief and Josh Korngut is managing editor. [5]

Website

The site's staff use horror-themed aliases. The website has a broad focus, and it covers both mainstream and fringe topics that range from horror films to comics to toys. Besides reviews and news, they also host several podcasts. [6] Steve Persall of the Tampa Bay Times states, "if it gushes blood or desecrates flesh, Dread Central covers it." [7] The site is oriented toward a male demographic and favors edgy, exploitative films. [7]

After 10 years, Dread Central became reader-supported via Patreon. [8] This would make Dread Central the first genre news site to switch from being ad-supported to being crowd supported. [9] Celebrity supporters include John Carpenter, [9] Gale Anne Hurd, [9] Sid Haig, [10] Adam Green, [10] and Darren Lynn Bousman. [11]

Other ventures

In 2007, Dread Central and VersusMedia announced Horror D'Oeuvres, a competition for independent short films. [12] [13] In 2008, the site partnered with several other prominent horror sites and studios in a horror-themed auction to raise money for the Entertainment Industry Foundation. [14] In 2013, they partnered with Gas Lamp Museum and the San Diego Ghost Hunters to organize a ghost hunt at the William Heath Davis House. The proceeds went toward upkeep for the historic site. [15] Also in 2013, they began offering the "Box of Dread", a random package full of merchandise delivered monthly to subscribers, one of whom is randomly chosen to receive a "special edition" valued at $250. [16]

CineMayhem

CineMayhem, a film festival for independent genre films, was founded by Heather Wixson in association with Dread Central's Indie Horror Month. The festival, whose inaugural date was March 2–3, 2013, is presented in Thousand Oaks, California. [17] The festival is backed by Scream Factory, Sideshow Collectibles, Magnet Releasing, and Breaking Glass Pictures. [18]

Reaper Awards

Dread Central and Home Media Magazine present the Reaper Awards annually for the best home video releases and direct-to-video features. [19] It is held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and is hosted by Steve Barton, co-founder of Dread Central. [20]

DREAD

In 2017, Dread Central Media was acquired by Epic Pictures Group. The independent studio announced it would be launching a new distribution label specializing in horror films released in theaters and on demand. [21] [22] On January 29, 2019, the label was renamed DREAD. Their first in-house produced film, The Golem, will be the first film under the DREAD Originals banner. [23] [22]

DREAD Podcast Network

The DREAD Podcast Network consists of a variety of diverse, free audio series celebrating all things horror. [28] Podcasts on the network include:

DreadXP

DreadXP was founded in 2019 by Dread Central founder Jon Condit and overseen by editor in chief Ted Hentschke as a video gaming website with a focus on editorial, reviews, podcasts, and original streaming content. [35] In 2020, DreadXP turned to video game publishing with the release of Dread X Collection, an anthology of horror video games created by several indie developers. [36] [37] In early 2024, it was announced that Hunter Bond and Brian Clarke would be taking charge at DreadXP. [38]

Games published

YearTitleDeveloper(s)
2020Dread X Collection
List
2020Dread X Collection 2
List
  • David Szymanski
  • Wither Studios
  • Bathysfear Labs
  • Scythe Dev Team
  • Mahelyk
  • TorpleDook
  • John Szymanski
  • Lovely Hellplace
  • Secret Cow Level
  • Vidas Games
  • Akabaka
  • Panstasz
  • Daniel Mullins
2020Dread X Collection 3
List
  • TorpleDook
  • Breogan Hackett
  • Blood Machine
  • Bryce Bucher
  • Amon26
  • Corpsepile
  • Dirigo Games
  • Modus Interactive
  • Basalt Tower
  • Moya Horror
  • Adam Pype & Viktor Kraus
  • Nate Berens
2021Dread X Collection: The Hunt [39]
List
  • Nate Bernes
  • Akuma Kira
  • Philip Hesselbäck
  • TorpleDook
  • Mr. Pink
  • Vidas Games
  • Christopher Yabsley
  • Dan McGrath
2021SpookwareBeeswax Games
2022 Sucker for Love: First Date [40] Akabaka
2022Dread X Collection 5 [41]
List
  • Christopher Yabsley
  • Stroboskop
  • VisceralError
  • Nikk F.
  • Fyre Games
  • Roope Tamminen
  • Shakles
  • Darkstone Digital
  • Philisophic Games
  • Colorfiction
  • iwilliams
  • Matt Reeves
  • Phantom Sloth Games
2022 The Mortuary Assistant Darkstone Digital
2022Mirror ForgeMystiveDev
2022 Iron Lung (Nintendo Switch port) [42] David Szymanski
2023Red TapePollaris Studios
2023Amanda the AdventurerMANGLEDmaw Games
2023 My Friendly Neighborhood Evan Szymanski
John Szymanski
2024 Sucker for Love: Date to Die For Akabaka
2024 Dread Delusion Lovely Hellplace
2026 Paranormal Activity: Found Footage DarkStone Digital

Reception

Dread Central was chosen as AMC's Site of the Week, in 2008. [6]

It was nominated for Total Film's Best Horror Blog, in 2010. [43]

It won the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award for Best Website for the years 2009-2012. [44] [45] [46] [47]

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  39. Co-produced by David Szymanski
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