Ice Cream Man

Name: Ice Cream Man
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Comedy
Released: 2026-08-03
Duration: 1 h 26 min
Rating: 2.3
Cast: Ari Millen, Charlie Zeltzer, Shiloh O’Reilly, Kiori Mirza Waldman, Sarah Abbott

2026 ·1h 26m · ★ 2.3 (3)

An idyllic summer town descends into madness when an ice cream man serves kids sweet delights with horrifying results.

Why it matters

A deceptively sunny setup that melts into a chilling exploration of childhood fears and suburban decay.

Practical effects deliver grotesque, sticky-sweet body horror that recalls the best of ’80s creature features.
Subverts nostalgic Americana, turning ice cream trucks into vehicles of dread and societal critique.
Perfect for fans of folk horror’s creeping unease mixed with the visceral shock of grindhouse cinema.
Balances dark humor with genuine terror, making it more than just another slasher in disguise.

Director

Eli Roth

8 horror films in catalog

Cabin Fever 2003

Hostel 2006

Hostel: Part II 2007

The Green Inferno 2013

Knock Knock 2015

The House with a Clock in Its Walls 2018

Thanksgiving 2023

Ice Cream Man 2026

Cast

Horror DNA

⚠ Limited data — scores are approximate

Gore

Slow Burn

Psychological

Supernatural

Creature

Disturbing

Fun Factor

Cerebral

Survival

Pairs Well With

Papam Prathap 2026

The Yesterday Machine 1965

My Little Sister 2016

Flow 1996

In the News

Eli Roth's 'Ice Cream Man' Draws Inspiration from Spielberg's 'Saving Private Ryan'

Aug 4, 2026 · 3 sources

Eli Roth's 'Ice Cream Man' Struggles to Satisfy Critics

Aug 4, 2026 · 5 sources

Production History

Intelligence Brief

Eli Roth returns with a summer-set nightmare that twists childhood innocence into macabre terror.

Why it matters: Roth, known for blending visceral horror with dark humor, tackles suburban malaise through a deceptively sweet premise that echoes 80s body horror and folk horror tropes.
What we know: The story unfolds in a peaceful town unraveling as the titular Ice Cream Man's treats unleash chaos, spotlighting practical effects and a creeping dread atmosphere.
Who's involved: Directed by Eli Roth, with Ari Millen leading a young ensemble cast including Charlie Zeltzer and Shiloh O’Reilly, promising strong performances from emerging talent.
The buzz: Early festival whispers praise its blend of nostalgia and gore, positioning it as a standout in Roth's filmography and a fresh take on the summer horror subgenre.