Trailer Released for Slasher Horror 'Pinocchio: Unstrung' by 'Winnie The Pooh: Blood And Honey' Creator

The upcoming film "Pinocchio: Unstrung" transforms the beloved children's character into a horror figure, continuing a trend of reimagining classic literary icons. This latest adaptation is helmed by Rhys Frake-Waterfield, known for his work on low-budget horror hits like "Winnie The Pooh: Blood And Honey" and "Bambi: The Reckoning."

"Pinocchio: Unstrung" is a low-budget horror take on Carlo Collodi's 1883 classic, "The Adventures of Pinocchio." With the copyright for the character now expired, filmmakers can freely create their interpretations without seeking permission or paying licensing fees.

Frake-Waterfield, who serves as the director, writer, and producer, has crafted this film as part of his "Twisted Childhood Universe" (TCU). This horror film universe features reimagined characters from popular children's stories, and viewers can expect to see familiar faces from previous films in supporting roles.

The film was released in select theaters in North America and the UK on July 24, 2026. In Germany, it will debut on August 27, 2026, directly on Blu-ray—available in a 4K Steelbook edition—DVD, and video-on-demand. All formats are available for pre-order, although the film's age rating from the FSK is still pending.

Reportedly, "Pinocchio: Unstrung" boasts the highest budget of any TCU entry to date, with costs reaching half a million British pounds. For comparison, "Winnie The Pooh: Blood And Honey" was produced for just £50,000.

This increased budget has allowed for a more notable cast, featuring genre veterans Richard Brake, known for his roles in "Mandy" and "Barbarian," and Robert Englund, famed for his portrayal of Freddy Krueger in Wes Craven's "A Nightmare on Elm Street." While Englund does not appear on screen, he provides the voice for Jiminy Cricket in the English version.

Plot Overview of "Pinocchio: Unstrung"

The story follows 14-year-old James, portrayed by Cameron Bell from "Silo," who moves in with his grandfather Gepetto, played by Richard Brake, after losing his parents in a car accident. As James begins to settle in, he befriends two other teenagers, but tragedy soon strikes when one friend dies from cancer and the other relocates due to his mother's job.

To comfort James, Gepetto gifts him a wooden puppet named Pinocchio, voiced by Jude Evan Lloyd in the English version. Despite being instructed to play with Pinocchio at home, James takes him into the outside world, setting off a chain of horrific events.

Pinocchio, eager to prove his worth and become human, embarks on a violent quest to eliminate anyone he perceives as a threat to James. In doing so, he believes he can gather the body parts necessary to transform into a real boy.

For those keen on staying updated with "Pinocchio: Unstrung" and other significant releases across genres—whether in theaters, on streaming platforms, or for home viewing—there are options to subscribe to a weekly newsletter.

Details about the future of the "Twisted Childhood Universe" will be explored in subsequent articles, hinting at an exciting horror crossover featuring Disney characters from childhood memories.