The Haunting of Maplewood Manor (2026)
Starring: Melissa McCarthy • Jamie Lee Curtis • Paul Rudd • Octavia Spencer
Genre: Horror • Comedy • Supernatural

A Haunted House Story With a Wicked Sense of Humor

In a cinematic landscape where horror often leans toward the bleak and relentless, The Haunting of Maplewood Manor arrives in 2026 with a different promise: spine-tingling scares wrapped in razor-sharp wit. Blending supernatural chills with comedic timing from an all-star cast, the film aims to revive the classic haunted-house formula — with a mischievous twist.

Set in the aging but grand Maplewood Manor, the story follows a mismatched group of strangers brought together by a mysterious inheritance stipulation. When the estate’s eccentric former owner passes away, the potential heirs must spend a full week inside the sprawling mansion to claim their share. What they don’t anticipate is that the house itself has no intention of letting them leave quietly.

Melissa McCarthy leads the ensemble as a skeptical yet resourceful protagonist whose quick tongue becomes as vital as her courage. Jamie Lee Curtis, no stranger to horror royalty, plays a sharp-eyed historian with secrets of her own, hinting that Maplewood’s past may be darker than its creaking corridors suggest. Paul Rudd brings dry humor and reluctant bravery as a man far out of his depth, while Octavia Spencer anchors the chaos with intelligence and quiet resolve, determined to uncover the manor’s hidden truth.

As the nights grow longer, unexplained whispers echo through the hallways, antique portraits shift their gaze, and rooms seem to rearrange themselves. Yet alongside the mounting supernatural tension runs a current of comedic absurdity — séances gone wrong, ghostly encounters interrupted by perfectly timed sarcasm, and paranormal investigators who may not be as prepared as they claim.

Behind the laughter, however, lies a deeper mystery. Maplewood Manor harbors a centuries-old curse tied to betrayal, greed, and unfinished business. As the group pieces together fragmented diaries and cryptic clues, they realize the haunting is not random — it is deliberate. The spirits are not merely restless; they are waiting.

Balancing atmospheric dread with ensemble-driven humor, The Haunting of Maplewood Manor seeks to capture the charm of classic supernatural comedies while delivering genuine thrills. Early buzz suggests a film that respects horror traditions while confidently poking fun at them, creating a tone that is both playful and suspenseful.

If successful, the film could carve out a rare space in modern cinema — where screams and laughter echo through the same dark hallway, and where the most terrifying thing in the house might just be the living.

One thing is certain: at Maplewood Manor, every door creaks for a reason.