One of the festival circuit’s standout horror hits is finally headed to the big screen.
Atlas Distribution Company has acquired The Town That Takes, a suspense-filled supernatural thriller inspired by one of America’s oldest unsolved mysteries—the disappearance of the Lost Colony of Roanoke. The film opens in select theaters across more than 70 cinemas in North America’s top 20 markets on Friday, July 10, 2026.
Drawing inspiration from the haunting word “CROATOAN”—the only clue left behind after the colonists mysteriously vanished—the film blends Southern Gothic atmosphere, investigative suspense, and supernatural horror into a chilling modern tale that asks: What really happened?
Directed by Britt Bankhead, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jon Blaze, The Town That Takes features a cast led by Miles Mussenden (Doom Patrol, Cloak & Dagger), Mike Markoff (Hit Man), Grace Patterson (Slotherhouse), and Bankhead. The film has earned festival buzz for its eerie storytelling and unsettling take on one of history’s greatest mysteries.
The nationwide release includes screenings in cities such as Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, Charlotte, Richmond, Knoxville, Indianapolis, St. Louis, and dozens more.
Fans can find their nearest theater and purchase tickets at https://thetownthattakes.com/theaters/.
If you enjoy folklore, paranormal mysteries, and slow-burning supernatural horror, The Town That Takes looks ready to make “CROATOAN” a word you’ll never forget.
