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Dread Central

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Dread Central
Type of site
Horror news, interviews, reviews
Available inEnglish
Country of originUnited States
OwnerDread Central Media, LLC
(Epic Pictures Group)
EditorsMary Beth McAndrews, Josh Korngut
URLdreadcentral.com
CommercialYes
LaunchedJuly 4, 2006; 18 years ago (2006-07-04)
Current statusOnline

Dread Central is an American website founded in 2006 that is dedicated to horror news, interviews, and reviews. It covers horror films, comics, novels, and toys. Dread Central has won the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award for Best Website four times and was selected as AMC's Site of the Week in 2008.

History

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Dread Central was founded on July 4, 2006.[1] When a venture to create a horror-themed cable television channel stalled, the web team left and established their own news site.[2][3] On September 30, 2019, Jonathan Barkan announced he was stepping down as editor-in-chief. As of December 2021, Mary Beth McAndrews is now Editor-in-Chief and Josh Korngut is managing editor.[4]

Website

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The site's staff use horror-themed aliases. The website has a broad focus, and it covers both mainstream and fringe topics that range from horror films to comics to toys. In 2013, Steve Persall of the Tampa Bay Times stated, "if it gushes blood or desecrates flesh, Dread Central covers it," and "the site is oriented toward a male demographic and favors edgy, exploitative films.[5]

In 2022, editors Mary Beth McAndrews and Josh Korngut announced a shift in Dread Central’s editorial direction toward inclusivity and prioritizing marginalized voices in horror, marked by a Pride Month video essay titled Dread Central Comes Out.[6] Celebrity supporters include John Carpenter,[7] Gale Anne Hurd,[7] Sid Haig,[8] Adam Green,[8] and Darren Lynn Bousman.[9]

Other ventures

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In 2007, Dread Central and VersusMedia announced Horror D'Oeuvres, a competition for independent short films.[10][11] In 2008, the site partnered with several other prominent horror sites and studios in a horror-themed auction to raise money for the Entertainment Industry Foundation.[12] In 2013, they partnered with Gas Lamp Museum and the San Diego Ghost Hunters to organize a ghost hunt at the William Heath Davis House. The proceeds went toward upkeep for the historic site.[13] Also in 2013, they began offering the "Box of Dread", a random package full of merchandise delivered monthly to subscribers, one of whom is randomly chosen to receive a "special edition" valued at $250.[14]

DREAD

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In 2017, Dread Central Media was acquired by Epic Pictures Group. The independent studio announced it would be launching a new distribution label specializing in horror films released in theaters and on demand.[15][16] On January 29, 2019, the label was renamed DREAD. Significant releases include: [17]

DREAD Podcast Network

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The DREAD Podcast Network consists of a variety of diverse, free audio series celebrating all things horror.[18] Notable network talent include The Boulet Brothers, Mick Garris, and Mark Ramsay with podcasts such as:

DreadXP

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DreadXP was founded in 2019 by Dread Central founder Jon Condit and overseen by editor in chief Ted Hentschke as a video gaming website with a focus on editorial, reviews, podcasts, and original streaming content.[27]

In 2020, DreadXP turned to video game publishing with the release of Dread X Collection, an anthology of horror video games created by several indie developers.[28][29] In early 2024, it was announced that Hunter Bond and Brian Clarke would be taking charge at DreadXP.[30] Significant game releases include:[31]

References

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  1. ^ Barton, Steve (July 4, 2013). "Dread Central Turns 7!". Dread Central. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  2. ^ "Viva La DreadCentral! The Horror Channel DEAD!?". Bloody Disgusting. June 18, 2006. Archived from the original on October 8, 2006. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  3. ^ Brown, Todd (July 5, 2006). "Behind The Scenes Photos From Nacho Cerda's The Abandoned At The Re-Launched Dread Central". Twitch Film. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  4. ^ "Dread Central Announces New Editor-In-Chief And Managing Editor". December 13, 2021.
  5. ^ Persall, Steve (March 9, 2007). "In Gore They Trust". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  6. ^ Dread Central (June 1, 2022). Dread Central Comes Out. Retrieved April 19, 2025 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ a b Couch, Aaron; Kit, Borys (December 21, 2016). "How Dread Central's "Hail Mary" Campaign to Stay Open Could Change Genre Journalism". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  8. ^ a b Barton, Steve (December 21, 2016). "Patreon Exclusive: Adam Green, Arwen, and Sid Haig Talk #SaveDreadCentral". Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  9. ^ Barton, Steve (December 16, 2016). "Patreon Exclusive: Darren Lynn Bousman and Joe Knetter Talk #SaveDreadCentral". Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  10. ^ Wells, Michael (August 17, 2007). "DreadCentral.com and VersusMedia Team Up to Find THE Best Independent Short Horror Films". Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  11. ^ Walkuski, Eric (April 12, 2007). "Open Call for Horror shorts!!". JoBlo.com. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  12. ^ "Horror-Themed Charity Auction This Saturday". UGO. October 8, 2008. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2013.
  13. ^ "Go ghost-hunting (for real!) with Dread Central in San Diego". Fangoria. July 11, 2013. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  14. ^ Miller, Ryan (August 27, 2013). "Are You Brave Enough to Open the Box of Dread?". JoBlo.com. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  15. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (October 12, 2017). "Epic Pictures To Launch Dread Central Presents; Robert Galluzzo To Run It". Deadline. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  16. ^ "Introducing - Dread Central Presents! - Dread Central". www.dreadcentral.com. October 12, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  17. ^ "Horror Films | Epic Pictures". epic-pictures.com. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
  18. ^ "DREAD Podcast Network". Dread Central. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  19. ^ Condit, Jon (March 17, 2021). "DEVELOPMENT HELL joins the DREAD Podcast Network New Episode Drops Next Week". Dread Central. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  20. ^ a b Chernov, Matthew (October 26, 2021). "12 Horror Movie Podcasts to Make You Scream". Variety. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  21. ^ Korngut, Josh (October 25, 2024). "Tune into Halloween Terror with DARK SANCTUM from the DREAD Podcast Network". Dread Central. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
  22. ^ Staff, Dread Central (October 2, 2023). "Scarred For Life Joins The Dread Podcast Network". Dread Central. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
  23. ^ Millican, Josh (June 23, 2021). "GIRL, THAT'S SCARY Is Now Part of the DREAD Podcast Network!". Dread Central. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  24. ^ McAndrews, Mary Beth (June 13, 2022). "'Kim & Ket Stay Alive... Maybe' Celebrate Their 200th Episode With First-Ever Sammie Awards". Dread Central. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  25. ^ Millican, Josh (April 21, 2021). "POST MORTEM WITH MICK GARRIS Is Now Part of DREAD Podcast Network!". Dread Central. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  26. ^ Millican, Josh (October 7, 2020). "The Boulet Brothers' CREATURES OF THE NIGHT Acquired by Dread Central Podcast Network!". Dread Central. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
  27. ^ Hentschke, Ted (August 30, 2019). "Announcing DREAD XP - Gaming Content By Gamers For Gamers". Dread Central. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  28. ^ Beresford, Trilby (April 9, 2020). "Epic Pictures to Launch Gaming Venture With Playable Horror-Themed Trailers (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  29. ^ "Introducing: The Dread X Collection". DREAD XP. April 9, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  30. ^ Wood, Justin (January 18, 2024). "New Year, New DreadXP". Dread Central. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  31. ^ "Steam Publisher: DreadXP". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
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