Exciting News: 'The Exit 8' Live-Action Film Set for North American Release

Also screening at major festivals in 2025

The Exit 8

Image via The Exit 8 film's X/Twitter account

North American Release and Festival Screenings

The acclaimed Japanese horror game The Exit 8 is making its way to the big screen! NEON, the distributor behind Oscar-winning films like Parasite and Anora, announced they have acquired the North American rights for the live-action adaptation of Kotake Create's popular infinite-loop horror game.

Release plans:

The film is scheduled for theatrical release in North America in early 2026.
It will be showcased at the Centrepiece Section of the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (September 4-14).
Additionally, it will screen at the 58th SITGES - International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia in Spain (October 9-19).

Festival Premiere and Awards

The film had its world premiere at Cannes on May 19, where it received an eight-minute standing ovation! The poster for the film also won Cannes' Prix Luciole poster competition, highlighting its visual appeal.

Japanese Release and Star Power

In Japan, the film is set to open on August 29. It stars Kazunari Ninomiya, renowned singer and actor known for Letters from Iwo Jima, Ōoku, Gantz, and Assassination Classroom. This marks his first collaboration with director and producer Genki Kawamura, known for your name., Fireworks, and Suzume.

About the Game

The game places players in a subway station trapped in an endless loop, where they must search for anomalies that hint at danger to find their way to Exit 8. Launched on PC via Steam in November 2023, it is also available on PlayStation 4 & 5, Nintendo Switch, and has a VR version on Meta Quest, released in July. The game has also been released on iOS and Android, with videos garnering over 100 million views on YouTube.

Sources