Get ready for a blood-soaked chill ride this May as Clown in a Cornfield arrives in theaters. RLJE Films and Shudder, are bringing Eli Craig’s (Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, Little Evil) latest horror-fueled outping to the big screen on May 9, 2025. Based on Adam Cesare’s Bram Stoker Award-winning novel, the film promises to deliver the same chaos and terror that made the book a fan favorite.
Produced by the same team behind the hit Smile, Temple Hill Entertainment, Clown in a Cornfield stars a fantastic ensemble cast headed up by Katie Douglas (Ginny & Georgia), Carson MacCormac (Shazam!), Aaron Abrams (Hannibal), Will Sasso (The Three Stooges), and Kevin Durand (Abigail, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes). Adapted for the screen by Carter Blanchard and Craig, the film will brings the twisted and tormented world of Kettle Springs to life in gruesome detail.
The film follows Quinn (Douglas) and her father (Abrams) who move to the quiet town of Kettle Springs for a fresh start, only to find peace quickly shattered. The town, already reeling from the fiery collapse of the Baypen Corn Syrup Factory, is gripped by division, economic decline, and rising tensions. From this fractured landscape emerges a Frendo — a sinister clown who stalks the cornfields with bloody intent.
Clown in a Cornfield has already established itself as a literary phenomenon, with the first novel launching to widespread acclaim in 2020. The sequel, Clown in a Cornfield II: Frendo Lives, followed in 2022, and the third book, Clown in a Cornfield III: The Church of Frendo, was released in August 2024, quickly climbing the charts to become a USA Today bestseller.
In celebration of the film’s May 9 release, we spoke with Adam Cesare about the journey of adapting his beloved novel for the big screen, how involved he was in the shaping of the film, and what could lie ahead for the Clown in a Cornfield franchise – including the prospect of a fourth chapter in the book series.
We can’t wait for you to see what we already consider the best of the bloody crop when it comes to horror movies this year.
Frendo, the childhood clown of your nightmares will also be hitting the road for two weeks on a semi-truck tour ahead of the film’s theatrical release, terrorizing anyone who gets in his way at iconic landmarks, special screenings and events across the country. Fans of Frendo can follow his whereabouts on social media @Shudder and @Clown_in_a_Cornfield. Those brave enough to track down the tour truck or one of the film’s “Don’t F*** With Frendo” posters in the wild and post a photo with the hashtag #IFoundFrendo will be entered to win an exclusive prize pack.
Frendo’s semi-truck tour will make stops at the following locations and dates:
April 28
Atlanta, Ga. at Truist Park
April 29
Dallas, Texas at Reunion Arena Tower
April 30
Roswell, N.M. at the International UFO Museum and Research Center
May 1
Grand Canyon, Ariz. at The Grand Canyon
May 2
Las Vegas, Nev. at the Westwind Drive-in
May 4
Pomona, Calif. at the Los Angeles County Fair
May 5
Los Angeles, Calif. at Brain Dead Studios
May 7
Tonopah, Nev. at The Clown Motel
May 8
Denver, Colo. at the Red Rocks Amphitheater
May 9
Kansas City, Mo. – AMC Theater – Follow along for the exact location.
May 10
Nashville, Tenn. – Follow along for more details!!!
