Horror fans are getting a slimy blast from the past. Vertigo Releasing has dropped a brand-new trailer celebrating the 20th anniversary of Slither, the feature film debut of James Gunn.
The grotesque sci-fi horror comedy is returning in a newly restored 4K release, giving audiences a chance to revisit the cult favorite that helped kick off Gunn’s filmmaking career long before he ended up running DC Studios at Warner Bros.
If you’ve never experienced it, Slither is the kind of movie that proudly leans into its gross-out monster mayhem. It’s messy, creepy, funny, and a total blast with friends on movie night.
The story unfolds in the quiet town of Wheelsy, a place that seems like any ordinary small American community. Friendly neighbors, peaceful streets, and nothing out of the ordinary… at least on the surface. That calm doesn’t last long once something ancient and terrifying arrives and starts spreading beneath the town’s skin.
Livestock begin turning up mutilated, and a local woman vanishes without a trace. Sheriff Bill Pardy, played by Nathan Fillion, begins investigating the disturbing events with his team.
Along the way, he’s joined by Starla, the wife of a man at the center of the growing nightmare, played by Elizabeth Banks. What they uncover is far worse than anyone expected. An extraterrestrial parasite has infected the town, twisting its residents into grotesque monsters while preparing to consume all life on Earth.
The film’s creature chaos is packed with wriggling alien slugs, mutated townspeople, and body horror that still holds up two decades later. It’s exactly the kind of practical-effects-driven madness that horror fans love revisiting.
The cast also includes Michael Rooker and Gregg Henry, both delivering memorable performances as the nightmare unfolds across Wheelsy.
For this anniversary release, Slither has been restored from the original 35mm interpositive and the new transfer has been approved by Gunn and cinematographer Gregory Middleton, giving the film a fresh visual upgrade for its first-ever 4K presentation.
Gunn wrote and directed the film, marking his first feature after making several short films. He would later follow it up with the dark superhero movie Super in 2010 before eventually stepping into massive franchise territory with Marvel and later DC.
Looking back now, Slither feels like a perfect introduction to the filmmaker’s sensibilities, mixing outrageous horror, strange humor, and big creature effects.
When the film originally hit theaters in March 2006, it earned about $7.8 million at the box office. Over time, though, it built a strong cult following among genre fans who appreciate its wild creature designs and unapologetic love of B-movie horror.
Vertigo Releasing will bring Slither back to UK cinemas starting April 10th, 2026 for the 20th anniversary celebration. A Steelbook 4K release is also planned for May. There’s no word yet on a U.S. theatrical return, but hopefully that news slithers in soon.
