Living Dead Media has an incredible Christmas present for fans of the horror-comedy series Return of the living dead: the first teaser for a new film in the series, the first in twenty years. Making his much-anticipated return to the big screen, Tarman staggers on screen as he drags a Christmas tree across a deserted, snow-covered cemetery, presumably doing something worse than just lighting his own grave on fire for the holidays.

Very similar to 2022 ScreamThe new film closely mimics the title of the original and is set in a small town in Pennsylvania in 1985, eighteen months after the events of the original film. While we don’t know who will appear on screen to fight the Tarman, we do know that this is not a reboot or remake of the franchise and will honor the legacy of the original, according to director Steve Wolsh .

The film also features special effects from the industry legend Tony Gardnerwho has worked on some of your favorite monsters, from Billy Butcher to the villain Chucky and beyond. “(Being able to) ramp up the horror but stay true to its roots,” Gardner said of the new and scarier Tarman. “I feel like I’m the perfect person for the job… and I’m really excited.” The entire teaser was produced without CGI or green screen and is reminiscent of the era of the original film and the renaissance of practical effects in horror films.

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The original Return of the living dead celebrates its fortieth anniversary next year, having hit theaters in 1985, nearly twenty years after John Russo co-wrote the cult film Night of the Living Deadwho created the zombie as we know it today. Separate from the director George A. Romerois a separate sequel to the film, it was popular enough to spawn four sequels (including two direct-to-TV features) and create its own legacy not just in the zombie genre, but in horror as a whole. This new film hits theaters in almost exactly a year and is the perfect end to the anniversary year for one of the scariest and most iconic franchises of all time.

The new Return of the living dead will be in cinemas next Christmas. Check out the brand new teaser below: