James Gunn’s Slither is coming back to theaters for its 20th anniversary, and a new trailer has been released to go with the return. The 2006 horror-comedy is getting a limited theatrical re-release on April 10, followed by a digital 4K release on May 1 and a Steelbook release on May 18. The restoration was done from the 35mm interpositive and was approved by Gunn and cinematographer Gregory Middleton.
Slither returns in 4K
Now on 4K for the first time, Slither is getting the anniversary treatment nearly two decades after its original release. The movie stars Nathan Fillion as the town sheriff, Elizabeth Banks as Starla Grant, and Michael Rooker as Grant Grant, with the story centered on an extraterrestrial parasite infecting a small town and turning the population into a grotesque nightmare.
That makes this re-release a notable one for James Gunn fans, especially with Slither long viewed as one of his early cult favorites before he moved on to Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad, and DC Studios. The new release also gives fans a chance to see the movie cleaned up in 4K and back on the big screen.
New trailer released for the anniversary
The new trailer highlights the film’s mix of body horror, comedy, and practical creature effects that helped Slither build its cult following. It leans into the movie’s gross-out alien chaos while reminding fans why the movie still stands out as one of the more unique studio horror releases of the 2000s.
With the anniversary release also comes a new home video push. In addition to the digital launch, the Steelbook edition includes a fresh 4K presentation and bonus features tied to the restoration. Reported extras include new interviews with Gregory Middleton, editor John Axelrad, special make-up effects designer Todd Masters, and composer Tyler Bates.
A cult James Gunn movie gets another shot
Slither didn’t light up the box office when it first came out, but the movie has only grown in reputation over the years. Between Gunn’s fanbase, Nathan Fillion’s popularity, and the movie’s status as a cult horror-comedy, this re-release could draw solid interest from genre fans looking to revisit it in theaters.
It also comes at a time when Gunn remains in the spotlight because of DC. So a re-release of Slither gives fans a look back at the kind of genre filmmaking that helped put him on the map in the first place.
Release dates
In Cinemas: April 10, 2026
On Digital: May 1, 2026
On Steelbook: May 18, 2026
Watch the trailer:
