Hollywood, May 2025 — Universal Pictures has officially dropped the first trailer for Van Helsing 2 (2025), confirming the long-awaited return of Hugh Jackman as the legendary monster hunter. After more than two decades since the original film captivated audiences in 2004, the dark gothic franchise is back—and this time, the stakes are even more terrifying.

Scroll down to the bottom of the article to see the Trailer

The trailer opens with thunder echoing through a ruined cathedral as Jackman’s Van Helsing narrates: “I’ve hunted monsters all my life. But this time… they hunted me first.” The scene cuts to eerie glimpses of a resurrected vampire cult, lycan assassins, and a demonic figure cloaked in shadows—teasing a powerful new antagonist known only as “The First Blood.”

This sequel is directed by David F. Sandberg, known for his mastery of horror in Lights Out and Annabelle: Creation. The tone is far darker than the original, blending gothic horror with fast-paced supernatural action.

Key moments from the trailer include:

• Van Helsing facing a werewolf pack in the Carpathian Mountains, dual crossbows in hand.

• A cloaked figure summoning a blood storm over a burning village.

• A chilling first look at the new villain, rumored to be Vlad the Impaler, reimagined as a vampiric demi-god.

• A mysterious woman named Lilith (played by Ana de Armas) who may either help Van Helsing or doom him.

The cinematography leans heavily into misty forests, ancient crypts, and candlelit cathedrals. Composer Bear McCreary provides a haunting orchestral score that echoes with ghostly chants and rising tension.

Universal promises that Van Helsing 2 will expand the monster universe and tease crossovers with future films, including potential appearances by characters like Dr. Jekyll, the Invisible Man, or even Frankenstein’s monster.

Hugh Jackman, in a recent interview, said: “This isn’t the Van Helsing you remember. He’s older, haunted, and more dangerous. He’s not just fighting monsters—he’s fighting his past.”

The film is slated for release in theaters on October 31, 2025, just in time for Halloween. Judging by the trailer’s chilling intensity, Van Helsing 2 might just resurrect the gothic horror blockbuster in grand fashion.