Pumpkinhead 2 Brings Cassandra Peterson to Tubi for Halloween

A new supernatural curse threatens the fictional town of Redhaven in Pumpkinhead 2, the sequel to the 2025 horror film based on a story by R.L. Stine. Released on Tubi on October 9, 2026, the movie reunites director Jem Garrard with returning cast members and introduces Cassandra Peterson, best known for portraying Elvira, as a witch who helps two young characters confront the danger.

The sequel continues the story of Sam, played by Bean Reid, and Becka, played by Adeline Lo. According to coverage from Yahoo Entertainment and Heaven of Horror, the film explores the consequences of the curse that left Sam forgotten by his family and nearly everyone else in town.

The new installment expands the story beyond its literary inspiration, Stine's 1999 anthology book Nightmare Hour. While the first movie adapted a story from the collection, the sequel develops an original continuation without a corresponding follow-up story in the book.

Sam searches for a way to reverse the curse, while Becka investigates Redhaven's history. Their efforts become more complicated when Evan, a quiet student who faces severe bullying, discovers a forbidden spellbook and awakens the pumpkin-headed children associated with the town's past sacrifices, according to Heaven of Horror's review.

Peterson plays Cassandra, a red-haired witch whose knowledge of ancient magic connects her to Redhaven's troubled history. Her character guides Sam and Becka as they attempt to stop a new curse from spreading throughout the community, according to the film's synopsis published by Daily Dead.

Peterson described the casting as a natural fit during an interview with PauseRewind's Elizabeth Stanton.

"It was typecasting. I mean, I was a redhead. My name was Cassandra, and I was a witch.

So there you go. I couldn't turn that role down," Peterson said.

The actress also expressed enthusiasm for continuing to portray supernatural characters, connecting the role to her longstanding interest in witchcraft and the paranormal.

"I just want to be a witch forever. I love it. I always thought of myself as a witch. I love, the supernatural, witchcraft, that whole vibe I always have," Peterson said.

She explained that playing a witch offered an opportunity to explore a character more closely aligned with her interests and stage of life.

"So for me to be able to finally play a witch, you know I'm getting to my crone stage, and I'm going, ‘I got to get more into the whole crone thing!’ So, it's perfect for me. It's a gateway to me and being you know more myself or my more age appropriate," Peterson said.

Garrard returned to write and direct the sequel after helming the original film. In an interview with Yahoo Entertainment, the filmmaker explained that a second installment had not been part of the initial plan when the first project began development.

"You know, it wasn't a plan to make a sequel. When Tubi approached me about the Haunting Hour, Stein's collection of shorts, we were sort of going back and forth on what would be a great first one to launch," Garrard said.

The director also recalled being surprised when Peterson joined the production. The role was written for a witch named Cassandra, and an executive producer suggested Peterson for the part.

"It was surreal, honestly. You know, like she's such an icon. I grew up such a huge fan, so I had to try and play it cool. But you know, I don't think I did," Garrard said.

Garrard said the witch's connection to Redhaven could support additional stories beyond the sequel. The film ends with a cliffhanger that leaves the fictional town's future unresolved, while introducing possibilities for further exploration of Cassandra's history.

"I would absolutely love to say that there's a future for Cassandra the witch," Garrard said.

Heaven of Horror rated the film three out of five stars, describing it as family-oriented horror rather than a production aimed at audiences seeking graphic violence. Its review also noted that the ending teases another Stine adaptation, Afraid of Clowns, planned for release on Tubi in 2027, with Garrard returning as director.