Witchcraft adds Eric Roberts: The Lanterne of Light: Horror’s Longest-Running Franchise

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Just when you thought the Witchcraft franchise had finally exhausted its supply of demons, warlocks and supernatural mayhem, the series is preparing another resurrection one whole year after the last installment. The latest chapter, Witchcraft: The Lanterne of Light, has added veteran genre favourite, Oscar-nominated Eric Roberts (Runaway Train, The Specialist) to its cast, marking yet another milestone for one of horror’s most unlikely and enduring franchises. With more than three decades of history behind it, the series has become one of the longest-running interconnected horror series ever produced, spawning an astonishing 17 films since its debut in 1988.

According to writer Andrew Pierson and director Carissa Pierson, The Lanterne of Light won’t simply be another low-budget sequel. Instead, the film is being positioned as a darker reinvention of the series, embracing the found-footage format while diving deeper into occult mythology. The story follows a paranormal investigation team venturing into the forests of North Carolina to document the legend of a cursed lantern connected to a mysterious cult known as The Children of the Hollow. Their search uncovers a trail of ritual sacrifices, deadly secrets and an exiled priest whose twisted practices are rooted in the Seven Deadly Sins.

Eric Roberts

Joining Roberts are genre familiar faces including Lisa Wilcox, Kato Kaelin, Kristina Lafser and Sandy Johnson. The filmmakers promise a slow-burn descent into madness featuring blood-soaked rituals, deteriorating sanity and footage never intended to be seen. If successful, it could represent the franchise’s most ambitious attempt yet to evolve beyond its direct-to-video roots.

A Brief History of the Witchcraft Franchise

For horror fans unfamiliar with the series, the first entry arrived in 1988 with a supernatural tale centred on William Spanner, a powerful warlock struggling against his dark lineage. Over the years the franchise drifted through occult horror, erotic thriller territory, detective stories, vampire plots and every conceivable direct-to-video trend imaginable. Having personally checked out the series after V the series somehow endured another 12 entries while many better-known franchises disappeared. 

Every Witchcraft Film So Far:

  • 1. Witchcraft (1988)
  • 2. Witchcraft II: The Temptress (1990)
  • 3. Witchcraft III: The Kiss of Death (1991)
  • 4. Witchcraft IV: The Virgin Heart (1992)
  • 5. Witchcraft V: Dance with the Devil (1993)
  • 6. Witchcraft VI: The Devil’s Mistress (1994)
  • 7. Witchcraft VII: Judgement Hour (1995)
  • 8. Witchcraft VIII: Salem’s Ghost (1996)
  • 9. Witchcraft IX: Bitter Flesh (1997)
  • 10. Witchcraft X: Mistress of the Craft (1998)
  • 11. Witchcraft XI: Sisters in Blood (2000)
  • 12. Witchcraft XII: In the Lair of the Serpent (2002)
  • 13. Witchcraft XIII: Blood of the Chosen (2008)
  • 14. Witchcraft XIV: Angel of Death (2016)
  • 15. Witchcraft XV: Blood Rose (2017)
  • 16. Witchcraft XVI: Hollywood Coven (2017)
  • 17. Witchcraft XVII: The Initiation (2025)

While few would argue the franchise consistently delivered cinematic greatness, its sheer longevity has earned it a cult reputation among dedicated horror fans. The original run stretched from the VHS boom of the late 1980s through the DVD era and into modern independent horror filmmaking, surviving long after many bigger franchises faded away. The movie had previously been announced in October 2025 with no mention of Roberts, whether the upcoming Lanterne of Light becomes the franchise’s true comeback story remains to be seen, but with Eric Roberts now onboard as a late addition and a found-footage approach promising a fresh direction, this latest entry may finally introduce horror’s most persistent occult saga to a new generation of viewers. For a franchise that has repeatedly cheated death over the last 38 years, another resurrection feels entirely fitting.