Movies - Screamboat Sails into Cinemas This April: A Murderous Mouse Rewrites Cartoon History

By Mulder, 21 march 2025

Get ready for a ferry ride like no other—where the waters run red, the laughs come with screams, and childhood nostalgia takes a wicked turn. Steven LaMorte, the director behind 2022’s viral horror parody The Mean One, returns this year with Screamboat , a deranged reimagining of the 1928 animated short Steamboat Willie. Set for a limited theatrical release in the United States beginning April 2, 2025, this splatter-filled comedy horror transforms the iconic black-and-white mouse into a pint-sized, bloodthirsty menace.

Screamboat  is no ordinary creature feature. It blends over-the-top violence with slapstick absurdity in what’s being described as splatstick horror—a bloody, gory homage to both the golden age of animation and the anarchic spirit of cult horror comedies like Evil Dead II. The plot follows a late-night ferry ride in New York City that quickly spirals into chaos when a mischievous, murderous mouse begins picking off passengers one by one. What starts as a regular commute across the Staten Island Ferry becomes a fight for survival in the middle of the harbor, as a monstrous rodent straight from a corrupted cartoon wreaks havoc with deadly glee.

LaMorte’s film arrives in the wake of a legal and cultural landmark: on January 1, 2024, the original Steamboat Willie version of Mickey Mouse entered the public domain. In a move that surprised no one familiar with horror’s fast-moving indie scene, Screamboat  was announced just one day later. Within months, it had gathered buzz, a cult-favorite lead actor, and a trailer that blew up across genre blogs and social media. The final theatrical trailer, recently premiered by Variety, teases a chaotic blend of gore and absurdity, positioning Screamboat  as one of 2025’s most unconventional horror releases.

The film stars David Howard Thornton, best known as the nightmarish Art the Clown from the Terrifier franchise, who trades his silent mime routine for a squeaky new persona—though no less violent. His portrayal of the monstrous version of Steamboat Willie is both chilling and oddly comical, perfectly suited to the film’s offbeat tone. Thornton is joined by a strong ensemble cast that includes Allison Pittel, Amy Schumacher, Jesse Posey, Jesse Kove, Kailey Hyman, Rumi C. Jean-Louis, Jarlath Conroy, and Charles Edwin Powell. In true cult horror fashion, the film also features surprise cameos from Teen Wolf’s Tyler Posey, Impractical Jokers star Brian Quinn, and stand-up comedian Joe DeRosa, known for his work on Better Call Saul.

Behind the scenes, the film is equally packed with genre pedigree. Steven LaMorte directs from a script he co-wrote with Matthew Garcia-Dunn, based on a story conceived shortly after the Disney copyright expired. The film’s practical effects, including the puppet and costume design for the killer mouse, were crafted by Quantum Creation FX, promising a visceral and tactile horror experience. Cinematography is by Steven Della Salla, while the film’s pulse-pounding score is composed by Yael Benamour and Charles-Henri Avelange. Editing is handled by Patrick Lawrence, maintaining the film’s kinetic pace and keeping its 102-minute runtime lean, mean, and full of carnage.

The production is a collaboration between Sleight of Hand Productions, Kali Pictures, and Fuzz on the Lens Productions, with producers Amy Schumacher, Martine Melloul, Steven LaMorte, Steven Della Salla, and Michael Leavy steering the ship. Iconic Events Releasing will handle the film’s theatrical debut across select cinemas, while DeskPop Entertainment will bring Screamboat  to digital and physical home release later in 2025. The project also recently secured UK and Ireland distribution through Signature Entertainment, further widening its reach as buzz builds.

Adding an extra layer of irony and pop culture curiosity, the actual ferry used in the film is co-owned by comedians Colin Jost and Pete Davidson—bringing the project full circle with a touch of real-world New York celebrity flair. That sense of meta-humor is woven throughout Screamboat , which doesn’t just parody its source material—it gleefully weaponizes it. The film walks a fine line between homage and havoc, taking the charming aesthetic of early animation and twisting it into a horror playground with blood-slicked decks and haunted calliopes.

In many ways, Screamboat  arrives at a perfect cultural moment. As more legacy characters enter the public domain, indie creators are finding bold and bizarre ways to reimagine them through new lenses. Where The Mean One turned the Grinch into a holiday slasher icon, Screamboat  goes a step further by anchoring its horror in one of the most historically significant cartoons ever made. It’s a risky move, but one that seems destined to find a rabid fanbase, especially among viewers who love their horror laced with dark humor and creative chaos.

Whether you’re a lifelong horror junkie, a fan of genre-bending cinema, or just someone who’s curious to see what happens when a beloved childhood icon becomes a pint-sized psychopath, Screamboat  is shaping up to be one of the year’s must-see midnight movies. With its combination of practical effects, irreverent tone, and a boatload of bodies, it promises a ride that’s as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.

So mark your calendars and grab your life jackets. When Screamboat  pulls away from the dock on April 2, you’re in for a voyage you won’t soon forget. And remember: in this twisted cartoon world, a scream is just a wish your heart makes.

Synopsis : 
A late-night boat ride turns into a desperate fight for survival in New York City when a mischievous mouse becomes a monstrous reality. Can a motley crew survive a killer creature with a taste for tourists?

Screamboat
Directed by Steven LaMorte
Written by Matthew Garcia-Dunn, Steven LaMorte
Story by Steven LaMorte
Based on Steamboat Willie by Walt Disney, Ub Iwerks
Produced by Steven LaMorte, Amy Schumacher, Martine Melloul, Steven Della Salle, Michael Leavy
Starring  David Howard Thornton, Allison Pittel, Amy Schumacher, Jesse Posey, Kailey Hyman, Jesse Kove, Jarlath Conroy
Cinematography : Steven Della Salle
Edited by Patrick Lawrence
Music by Yael Benamour, Charles-Henri Avelange
Production companies : Sleight of Hand Productions, Kali Pictures, Fuzz on the Lens Productions
Distributed by Iconic Events Releasing
Release date : April 2, 2025 (United States)
Running time : 102 minutes