Blab Entertainment
A24 Secures Worldwide Rights to V/H/S: SCP Film Amid Licensing Dispute
Friday, A24 released a press statement that could shift the horror landscape: the studio has secured worldwide distribution rights to V/H/S: SCP, the next chapter of the found‑footage anthology that draws its inspiration from the online SCP Foundation community. The announcement includes a planned theatrical debut in 2027, a bold step for a franchise that has historically hovered on the margins of mainstream cinema.
That move immediately drew a rebuttal from the SCP Foundation, which maintains that the project was produced without its knowledge and could breach the Creative Commons Attribution‑ShareAlike (CC BY‑SA 3.0) license governing the source material. The foundation’s statement, posted to AVClub, emphasizes that its intellectual property was not consulted and that the film may contravene the license’s requirements.
The V/H/S franchise originated in 2012 with the eponymous anthology created by Brad Miska and produced by Miska and Roxanne Benjamin. Since then, sequels—V/H/S/2, V/H/S: Viral, V/H/S/Beyond, and V/H/S/Halloween—have enjoyed limited theatrical runs and modest box‑office receipts, the first film grossing $1.9 million in its opening year, and has maintained a cult following.
Over the years, the series has also spawned prequels and spin‑offs, each leaning into the horror genre’s appetite for self‑referential and meta‑narratives. A24’s involvement comes after the studio’s recent horror successes, notably Backrooms (2026) and Civil War (2024), underscoring its growing influence in the genre.
Production of V/H/S: SCP is handled by Spooky Pictures and Image Nation Studios, with A24 responsible for distribution. The film is described as an untitled continuation of the V/H/S saga that adapts material from the SCP Foundation—a collaborative fiction project that has cultivated a dedicated community since 2008, to expand its audience reach.
The SCP Foundation’s license, CC BY‑SA 3.0, mandates that derivative works provide attribution, share alike, and avoid exclusive distribution. The foundation’s statement to AVClub notes that it was not contacted by either the filmmakers or A24, and that attempts to engage the studio were ignored.
According to the foundation, a compliant adaptation would need to be DRM‑free, non‑exclusive, and freely available on platforms such as YouTube, with no legal action taken against community contributors. The foundation has signaled a willingness to discuss compliance, but no agreement has been reached to date.
The dispute highlights a broader friction between independent studios and open‑content communities. While A24 has positioned V/H/S: SCP as a mainstream theatrical release, the foundation’s concerns suggest that the project may not satisfy the legal conditions of the CC BY‑SA license, raising questions about the balance between commercial ambitions and community rights, and its implications for future collaborations.
At present, the film’s release window remains tentative. A24 has confirmed a 2027 theatrical debut but has yet to announce a specific date, and the licensing conflict remains unresolved. The SCP Foundation has not indicated plans to pursue legal action, leaving the situation in a state of flux as the release date approaches.
In sum, A24’s acquisition of worldwide rights to V/H/S: SCP has ignited a licensing debate with the SCP Foundation. The film’s 2027 release hinges on whether the foundation’s challenge can be reconciled with the CC BY‑SA license, and any adjustments will shape the project’s path forward.
That move immediately drew a rebuttal from the SCP Foundation, which maintains that the project was produced without its knowledge and could breach the Creative Commons Attribution‑ShareAlike (CC BY‑SA 3.0) license governing the source material. The foundation’s statement, posted to AVClub, emphasizes that its intellectual property was not consulted and that the film may contravene the license’s requirements.
The V/H/S franchise originated in 2012 with the eponymous anthology created by Brad Miska and produced by Miska and Roxanne Benjamin. Since then, sequels—V/H/S/2, V/H/S: Viral, V/H/S/Beyond, and V/H/S/Halloween—have enjoyed limited theatrical runs and modest box‑office receipts, the first film grossing $1.9 million in its opening year, and has maintained a cult following.
Over the years, the series has also spawned prequels and spin‑offs, each leaning into the horror genre’s appetite for self‑referential and meta‑narratives. A24’s involvement comes after the studio’s recent horror successes, notably Backrooms (2026) and Civil War (2024), underscoring its growing influence in the genre.
Production of V/H/S: SCP is handled by Spooky Pictures and Image Nation Studios, with A24 responsible for distribution. The film is described as an untitled continuation of the V/H/S saga that adapts material from the SCP Foundation—a collaborative fiction project that has cultivated a dedicated community since 2008, to expand its audience reach.
The SCP Foundation’s license, CC BY‑SA 3.0, mandates that derivative works provide attribution, share alike, and avoid exclusive distribution. The foundation’s statement to AVClub notes that it was not contacted by either the filmmakers or A24, and that attempts to engage the studio were ignored.
According to the foundation, a compliant adaptation would need to be DRM‑free, non‑exclusive, and freely available on platforms such as YouTube, with no legal action taken against community contributors. The foundation has signaled a willingness to discuss compliance, but no agreement has been reached to date.
The dispute highlights a broader friction between independent studios and open‑content communities. While A24 has positioned V/H/S: SCP as a mainstream theatrical release, the foundation’s concerns suggest that the project may not satisfy the legal conditions of the CC BY‑SA license, raising questions about the balance between commercial ambitions and community rights, and its implications for future collaborations.
At present, the film’s release window remains tentative. A24 has confirmed a 2027 theatrical debut but has yet to announce a specific date, and the licensing conflict remains unresolved. The SCP Foundation has not indicated plans to pursue legal action, leaving the situation in a state of flux as the release date approaches.
In sum, A24’s acquisition of worldwide rights to V/H/S: SCP has ignited a licensing debate with the SCP Foundation. The film’s 2027 release hinges on whether the foundation’s challenge can be reconciled with the CC BY‑SA license, and any adjustments will shape the project’s path forward.
