So, you've probably seen Eli Roth’s name attached to a bunch of stuff lately, but the buzz around Eli Roth Presents: Dream Eater film showtimes is hitting different. Honestly, the found footage genre has felt a bit tired for a while. We’ve all seen the shaky cams and the "why are they still filming?" tropes a million times. But Dream Eater—produced under Roth’s new banner, The Horror Section—is trying to pull us back into that raw, Blair Witch kind of terror.
It’s basically a DIY nightmare shot in the snowy Laurentian mountains of Quebec. The story follows Mallory (played by Mallory Drumm, who also co-directed) as she documents her boyfriend Alex’s (Alex Lee Williams) violent parasomnia. If you’ve ever lived with a sleepwalker, you know it’s creepy. This movie takes that "creepy" and cranks it up to "ancient occult evil."
Where to Find Eli Roth Presents: Dream Eater Film Showtimes Right Now
The film originally hit theaters back on October 24, 2025, so if you’re looking for a massive nationwide theatrical run in early 2026, you might be a little late to the party. However, because horror fans have been championing this one, it’s still popping up in select places.
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- Boutique and Indie Theaters: Chains like Alamo Drafthouse and American Cinematheque are notorious for keeping indie horror hits in rotation. I’ve seen it listed for special "late-night" slots and "Horror Tuesday" events. You'll want to check their specific apps because these showtimes aren't always on the big aggregators.
- Major Chains (Limited): AMC Theatres and Regal carried it during the initial Halloween push. Now, you’re mostly looking at "second-run" houses or theaters in major hubs like LA, New York, or Chicago.
- The Digital Pivot: Let’s be real—most of us are watching this at home now. It’s officially available on Vudu (Fandango at Home), Google Play, and Apple TV. You can rent it for about $3.99 or buy the HD version for $9.99.
- The Library Hack: If you want to see it for free, check Hoopla. Since it’s a Canadian indie project (from Blind Luck Pictures), it landed on library streaming services surprisingly fast. If your local library card is active, you can probably stream it tonight without spending a dime.
Why Eli Roth Put His Name on This
Roth has been vocal about why he backed this project. He told a story recently about how he hasn't been this freaked out since he first saw a VHS of The Blair Witch Project on 25th Street in NYC. He claims he had to leave the lights on after watching Dream Eater alone in his house.
That’s a big claim. But the film actually won Best Feature at the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival, which gives it some serious genre street cred. It wasn't made by a massive studio. It was shot in nine days by a skeleton crew in the freezing cold. You can actually feel that desperation on screen.
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What People Are Getting Wrong
A lot of folks assume this is just another jump-scare fest. It’s not. It’s a slow burn. The first half is almost like a mumblecore relationship drama where one partner just happens to scream and thrash in their sleep.
The "Dream Eater" entity itself is where it gets weird. It’s not just a ghost; it’s tied to the protagonist’s past trauma and some pretty dark occult themes. Some critics, like Beatrice Loayza from the New York Times, found the acting a bit "artificial," but the general consensus among horror die-hards is that the sound design and atmosphere are top-tier.
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How to Actually Watch It (Actionable Steps)
If you're hunting for Eli Roth Presents: Dream Eater film showtimes, don't just refresh Fandango and give up. Here is how you actually track it down:
- Check the "Coming Soon" or "Encore" sections of local indie cinema websites. Search specifically for "The Horror Section" screenings.
- Search your local library's Hoopla or Kanopy catalog. This is the most reliable way to watch it in 2026 without paying for a rental.
- Use the "JustWatch" app. It’s the most accurate way to see if it has moved to a subscription service like Shudder or Screambox, which is the natural next step for a film like this.
- Watch the trailer first. Seriously. The sound design in the trailer uses a specific "ominous whistle" that gives you a good litmus test for whether the film’s vibe will actually work for you.
If you’re into found footage that feels "too real" and doesn't rely on CGI monsters, this is the one to track down. It’s a tidy 90 minutes. Perfect for a Friday night when you don't actually want to sleep well afterward.