Fans of horror reboots and twisted fairy tales are in for another chilling ride as Pinocchio: Unstrung arrives in UK cinemas on 24 July 2026.
Distributed by Altitude Films, the upcoming horror feature transforms Carlo Collodi’s beloved classic The Adventures of Pinocchio into a sinister nightmare, continuing the ever-expanding Twisted Childhood Universe that has already delivered cult horror hits such as Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey and its sequel.
Raindance Film Festival Premiere and Award Nominations
Ahead of its nationwide release, Pinocchio: Unstrung is set to make its UK premiere at the prestigious Raindance Film Festival, where the film has received four nominations, including Best UK Feature and Best Performance in a UK Feature for Richard Brake. The festival remains one of the UK’s most respected independent film showcases.
What Is Pinocchio: Unstrung About?
The film follows Geppetto, played by Richard Brake, who introduces his grandson James to a mysterious magical doll named Pinocchio. What begins as an innocent friendship quickly spirals into horror when the naïve puppet is exposed to the darker side of humanity.
Guided by a sinister version of Cricket, voiced by horror legend Robert Englund, Pinocchio embarks on a violent mission to rid the world of anything he deems evil. The result is a disturbing coming-of-age story that pushes the iconic character into terrifying new territory.
Cast and Creative Team
The horror adaptation comes from writer-director Rhys Frake-Waterfield, the filmmaker behind Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, alongside producer Scott Chambers, whose recent credits include Bambi: The Reckoning and Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare.
The cast includes:
- Richard Brake (Barbarian)
- Robert Englund (A Nightmare on Elm Street)
- Cameron Bell in his feature film debut
The project has already generated significant discussion among horror fans online thanks to its practical creature effects, dark visual style and Englund’s unsettling take on Cricket.
The Twisted Childhood Universe Continues to Expand
Pinocchio: Unstrung joins the growing Twisted Childhood Universe, a shared horror franchise that reimagines classic childhood stories through a much darker lens.
Previous entries include:
- Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey
- Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2
- Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare
- Bambi: The Reckoning
The franchise has built a dedicated following by transforming familiar childhood icons into nightmare fuel, with Pinocchio: Unstrung looking set to become one of its most ambitious entries yet.
When Is Pinocchio: Unstrung Released?
Pinocchio: Unstrung will be released in UK cinemas on 24 July 2026.
For more information, visit the official Altitude Films website and check updates from the Raindance Film Festival.
