The Horror Section
The Horror Section is a private horror-focused media company founded in 2025 by Eli Roth that produces, acquires, and distributes low-budget unrated horror films while building a premium IP library, serving horror fans via theatrical, home entertainment, and merchandise channels.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2025
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What The Horror Section does
The Horror Section Inc. is a private Delaware C-corporation founded in March 2025 by horror filmmaker Eli Roth, operating from West Hollywood with a registered office in Newark, Delaware. The company's stated function is to build and own a premium horror intellectual property library spanning films, television series, and games, serving horror audiences through a multi-channel distribution architecture that bypasses traditional studio intermediaries. Eli Roth serves as founder, with Jon Schnaars as CEO and Christopher Woodrow as Chairman; the company reports a 1-10 employee headcount and is founder-controlled.
Its core product is a slate of low-budget horror films produced and acquired on budgets of roughly $5.5 million, financed primarily through foreign pre-sales, tax credits, and project-level capital from Media Capital Technologies, with IP ownership retained by the company. Theatrical distribution runs through Iconic Events Releasing across 1,600-2,000+ theater locations with approximately 45-day windows; U.S. home entertainment rights are licensed exclusively to Alliance Home Entertainment under a multi-year deal; international rights are repped by WME Independent and StudioCanal's Sixth Dimension; and direct-to-consumer merchandise (pins, tees, and other items priced $8-$70) is sold through a Shopify storefront operated in partnership with Off Court Creations. Films in market include Jimmy and Stiggs (August 2025, inaugural acquisition), Dream Eater (October 2025), Ice Cream Man (August 2026, first Roth-directed release, ~$2M opening on 1,628 locations), Don't Go In That House, Bitch! (June 2026, with Snoop Dogg via Death Row Films), Stiletto (acquired February 2026), and a German-language Knock Knock remake co-produced with Construction Film and Veronica Ferres.
The business model blends one-time box-office license economics, home-entertainment licensing royalties, and direct merchandise sales, with a target of 2-4 horror titles released annually. The strategic premise is to capture the upside of an unrated, low-budget theatrical horror niche validated by the Terrifier 3 precedent, while using downstream channels and IP ownership to extend monetization across formats. Revenue is not disclosed; one ~$6.17M funding round (June 2025) is the primary capital event on record.
The Horror Section firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Horror Section
- Legal name
- The Horror Section Inc.
- Website
- https://horrorsectionstudios.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2025
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Horror Section is a private horror-focused media company founded in 2025 by Eli Roth that produces, acquires, and distributes low-budget unrated horror films while building a premium IP library, serving horror fans via theatrical, home entertainment, and merchandise channels.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where The Horror Section is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Horror Section business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Theatrical Film Distribution: Wide theatrical releases through Iconic Events Releasing, with films opening in 1,600-2,000+ theaters. Revenue generated through box office receipts with approximately 45-day theatrical windows.
- Home Entertainment Distribution: Exclusive multi-year home video and digital rights agreement with Alliance Home Entertainment for physical and digital distribution across the United States
- Film Production and Sales: Low-budget horror production ($5.5M budget for Ice Cream Man) funded primarily through foreign pre-sales and tax credits, shot in Canada. IP ownership retained by company.
- Merchandise Sales: Direct-to-consumer merchandise store selling branded apparel, accessories, and collectibles including graphic tees, baseball caps, charm bracelets, and enamel pins
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ice Cream Man merchandise collection |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Horror Section product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Horror Section is a for-profit horror media company that produces and acquires low-budget horror films while retaining intellectual-property ownership and creative control. It distributes those films theatrically through Iconic Events Releasing on approximately 45-day windows and extends them through home-video/digital partners and international rights sales. The company also sells branded apparel, accessories, and collectibles directly to consumers through a Shopify storefront operated in partnership with Off Court Creations, LLC.
Product overview
The Horror Section is a horror-focused media company founded in 2025 by Eli Roth that operates on a platform-plus-distribution model. The company produces and distributes theatrical horror films (Ice Cream Man, Dream Eater, Jimmy and Stiggs, Don't Go In That House Bitch!, Stiletto), owns a premium intellectual property library spanning films, television series, and games, maintains a merchandise e-commerce store, and partners with Alliance Home Entertainment for home video/digital distribution. The Horror Section distributes 2-4 horror films annually through Iconic Events Releasing with roughly 45-day theatrical windows, maintaining creative control and IP ownership.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ice Cream Man Horror slasher film centered on an ice cream truck driver who transforms children into murderous zombies; an ultra-gory production that relies on practical effects and prosthetics as its primary artistic focus and stars Ari Millen as the titular character.
- Dream Eater Found footage horror film about a documentary filmmaker documenting her boyfriend's violent parasomnia during a holiday at a remote cabin, discovering the cause may be something far more sinister involving an ancient evil awakening.
- Jimmy and Stiggs Sci-fi horror splatterfest about two hard-partying friends who must reconcile their differences to survive an explosive alien attack and otherworldly body horrors; directed by Joe Begos and produced by Matt Mercer.
- The Horror Section Merchandise Store Official merchandise store operated in partnership between The Horror Section Inc. and Off Court Creations, LLC, selling branded apparel and accessories including Ice Cream Man merchandise, graphic tees, baseball caps, charm bracelets, enamel pins, and related collectibles directly to fans.
Quantifiable outcome
- Ice Cream Man grossed $2 million in opening weekend from 1,628 locations
Companies that use The Horror Section
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Horror Section technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
The Horror Section partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.
- Death Row Films (Snoop Dogg)majorSnoop Dogg collaboration through Death Row Films on Don't Go In That House Bitch! Snoop stars, produces, writes and performs original soundtrack. Reunites Roth and Snoop following 2012 La La La music video collaboration. Snoop also contributing music to Ice Cream Man.
- Mass Appeal (Nas)minorNas serves as executive producer on Ice Cream Man through Mass Appeal partnership. Contributed to the film's development and production support.
- Alliance Home EntertainmentcoreExclusive multi-year Home Video and Digital Rights License Agreement with Alliance Entertainment (NASDAQ: AENT). Handles physical and digital distribution across US market. Leverages Alliance's established distribution network for The Horror Section content library.
- Terror Vision RecordsminorPressed Jimmy and Stiggs soundtrack on vinyl. Music soundtrack release extending film's brand and revenue stream.
- Construction Film (Veronica Ferres)minorDeal with German-based production company for German-language remake of Knock Knock. Partnership expands international reach and leverages existing Roth IP catalog.
- Iconic Events ReleasingcorePrimary theatrical distribution partner handling wide releases of The Horror Section films. Released Ice Cream Man in 1,628 locations and Jimmy and Stiggins in August 2025. Enables direct-to-theater distribution model bypassing traditional studios.
- Channel 83 FilmscoreProduction partner for Jimmy and Stiggs, The Horror Section's first acquisition. Joe Begos directed with Matt Mercer producing. Film shot on 16mm over four years with practical effects. Already garnered acclaim at Beyond Fest and Sitges Film Festival.
- WME IndependentcoreRepresents international rights for The Horror Section content. Handles global territory sales for theatrical releases.
- StudioCanal's Sixth DimensioncoreHandles global territory distribution for Ice Cream Man and other films. Nearly entire world pre-sold for Ice Cream Man through this partnership network.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
The Horror Section competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lionsgate: Major studio with historic horror track record (Hostel, Saw franchises, Eli Roth's prior releases). Comparable as a broad incumbent in theatrical horror distribution and IP ownership at scale, though operating across many genres.
Direct peers
- XYZ Films: Genre-focused production and international sales company. Comparable in low-budget genre film production, international sales representation, and filmmaker-driven horror slate construction.
- Cineverse: Specialty streaming and theatrical distribution company (formerly Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment). Distributed Terrifier franchise theatrically. Comparable as a specialty horror distributor operating unrated/limited theatrical releases.
- Blumhouse Productions: The dominant low-budget horror production company, behind franchises like Paranormal Activity, The Purge, Halloween, and Insidious. Most directly comparable to The Horror Section in low-cost horror production, franchise/IP ownership, and theatrical exhibition strategy.
- A24: Independent film studio with deep horror catalog (Hereditary, Midsommar, Talk to Me, X). Comparable in indie theatrical distribution, premium genre positioning, filmmaker-driven content, and IP/library building.
- Neon: Independent distributor of prestige and genre films (Longlegs, Infinity Pool, Parasite). Comparable in indie theatrical distribution, festival-to-theatrical pipeline, and selective genre positioning overlapping with The Horror Section.
- IFC Films / IFC Midnight: Independent distributor with a dedicated horror/genre label (IFC Midnight). Comparable in specialty horror theatrical and home entertainment distribution, and as a competitor for similar unrated/R-rated horror acquisitions.
- Magnolia Pictures / Magnet Releasing: Independent distributor with Magnet Releasing dedicated to genre films. Comparable in specialty theatrical and home entertainment distribution of horror/genre content for dedicated genre audiences.
Emerging players
- Fangoria: Horror media brand with growing distribution/production arm (Fangoria Studios). Comparable in horror audience community, branded content, and emerging production/distribution of genre films.
Others
- Iconic Events Releasing: Direct theatrical distribution partner handling The Horror Section's wide releases. Comparable as a direct-to-theater independent distributor working with non-studio content, but operates as a service provider rather than IP owner.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Horror Section social profiles
Digital presenceThe Horror Section financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Horror Section leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The Horror Section funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Horror Section M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Horror Section
What does The Horror Section do?
The Horror Section is a for-profit horror media company that produces and acquires low-budget horror films while retaining intellectual-property ownership and creative control. It distributes those films theatrically through Iconic Events Releasing on approximately 45-day windows and extends them through home-video/digital partners and international rights sales. The company also sells branded apparel, accessories, and collectibles directly to consumers through a Shopify storefront operated in partnership with Off Court Creations, LLC.
Is The Horror Section a public or private company?
The Horror Section is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The Horror Section founded?
The Horror Section was founded in 2025. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Horror Section based?
The Horror Section is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Horror Section make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Theatrical Film Distribution is the primary driver. The others are home Entertainment Distribution, film Production and Sales and merchandise Sales.
Who are The Horror Section's main competitors?
Lionsgate is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are XYZ Films, Cineverse, Blumhouse Productions, A24, Neon, IFC Films / IFC Midnight and Magnolia Pictures / Magnet Releasing. Fangoria is listed as an emerging player. Iconic Events Releasing is listed as an others.
Does The Horror Section have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Horror Section.