Sony Wins Bid for ‘Skeletons’ in Major Horror Deal

Sony Pictures has officially emerged victorious in the high-stakes race for Skeletons, a buzzy creature feature that quickly became one of the hottest packages at the 2026 European Film Market. The studio is closing a worldwide rights deal reportedly north of $25 million, signaling strong confidence in the project’s commercial bite.

The acquisition stood out as one of the biggest moves at Berlin’s market this year, where a competitive bidding war helped energize an otherwise cautious sales environment.

Star Power Behind the Horror

Oscar winner Brie Larson is set to lead the film, with J.J. Abrams producing through his Bad Robot banner and director J.T. Mollner steering the project. The combination of a prestige actor, a blockbuster producer, and a rising genre director helped turn the film into a must-have title for buyers.

A Family Secret With a Monstrous Twist

Skeletons is described as a modern creature horror story told from a child’s perspective, following a young boy who gradually realizes his parents are hiding a disturbing truth about his mother’s nature.

The screenplay comes from writer Brian Duffield, adapting a short story by Philip Fracassi, blending emotional family drama with classic genre tension.

Why This Deal Matters

For Sony, the acquisition reinforces its appetite for elevated horror with star-driven appeal, a formula that continues to perform strongly at the global box office. The project’s mix of heartfelt storytelling and creature-feature thrills positions it as both a prestige play and a crowd-pleaser.

With a bankable cast and a high-concept hook, Skeletons is already shaping up to be one of the most closely watched genre titles heading into production.