Dread Central is an American website founded in 2006 that is dedicated tohorror fiction news, interviews, and reviews. It covershorror films, comics, novels, and toys. Dread Central has won theRondo Hatton Classic Horror Award for Best Website four times and was selected asAMC's Site of the Week in 2008.
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]
The site's staff use horror-themed aliases. The website has a broad focus, and it covers both mainstream and fringe topics that range fromhorror films to comics to toys. In 2013, Steve Persall of theTampa 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 titledDread Central Comes Out.[6] Celebrity supporters includeJohn Carpenter,[7]Gale Anne Hurd,[7]Sid Haig,[8]Adam Green,[8] andDarren Lynn Bousman.[9]
In 2007, Dread Central and VersusMedia announcedHorror D'Oeuvres, a competition forindependentshort 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 theEntertainment Industry Foundation.[12] In 2013, they partnered with Gas Lamp Museum and the San Diego Ghost Hunters to organize a ghost hunt at theWilliam 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]
In 2017,Dread Central Media was acquired byEpic 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 renamedDREAD. Significant releases include:[17]
TheDREAD Podcast Network consists of a variety of diverse, free audio series celebrating all things horror.[18] Notable network talent includeThe Boulet Brothers,Mick Garris, and Mark Ramsay with podcasts such as:
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 ofDread 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]
