Paramount recently announced the arrival of a fourth episode in the Paranormal Activity series would arrive in 2012, and unsurprisingly it's set to land just before Halloween.

The film will be released in the US on 19 October, with a UK release date yet to be confirmed, but likely around the same time.

The found footage horror franchise has currently grossed Paramount more than $575 million worldwide, and given the shoestring budgets the pictures require, it should come as no surprise to see a fourth movie greenlit.

Paranormal Activity 3 was the most successful of the three, pulling in more than $200 million worldwide last Halloween, so enthusiasm for the franchise is clearly as high as it ever was.

That said, with demons, possession, ghosts, witchcraft, creepy kids and even earthquakes covered over the previous three films, one wonders what's left to keep the blurry cameras busy this time around...

Is there anything left in the tank for the Paranormal Activity series? Tell us, below. Source: www.totalfilm.com

Paranormal Activity 4 on the way [31st December 2011 20:00:00]

In news that will surprise precisely no one, Paramount have confirmed that 2012 will see the arrival of a fourth instalment of the Paranormal Activity series.

Whilst critics lamented the diminishing originality of the found footage phenomenon, Paranormal Activity 3 was still one of the studio's star performers in 2011, pulling in more than $200 million worldwide.

The announcement was accompanied by the news that Paramount achieved the highest total combined gross of any studio in 2011, making a record $5.17 billion worldwide.

"This achievement reflects the combined efforts of our entire team across the globe and the careful process by which we select the projects and partners we believe in," said Chairman & CEO Brad Grey. "We produce pictures that aspire to entertain audiences around the world, while at the same time we have sought to find innovative ways to reach movie-goers in this changing entertainment environment."

And what could be more innovative than a third sequel to a wildly successful horror movie? Expect Paranormal Activity 4 to come shuffling into cinemas sometime around Halloween... Source: www.totalfilm.com

Paranormal Activity 4 could arrive in October 2012 [26th October 2011 08:28:25]

Speaking to The Wrap, Don Harris, the head of Paramount's domestic distribution, revealed that Paramount Film Group President Adam Goodman was "thinking about the challenge" of making a fourth Paranormal Activity.

Paranormal Activity 3 launched last week to huge success, grossing almost $54 million in the USA, a figure that eclipses the franchise's previous two instalments.

Therefore, a fourth film being commissioned seems more than likely, and Harris furthered this by stating, "I can't imagine that we wouldn't make a number four."

It is not yet known who will replace duo Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman in the director's chair(s) this time out.

Harris said, "I'm sure the right material and the right director will have to come together with the budget because they don't spend a lot of money."

The two previous instalments arrived in October '10 and October '11 respectively, and Harris believes that "it's certainly possible to have another October release."

The series has been hugely profitable so far, grossing $450 million despite all three entries costing a combined total of just $8 million.

Expect the fourth Paranormal Activity to arrive this time next year. Source: www.totalfilm.com