Cabin Fever is an American comedy horror film series created by Eli Roth. It includes the original theatrical films, two straight-to-video follow-ups that both had limited theatrical releases, and a theatrical remake. The plot centers around groups of people who contract an extremely deadly flesh-eating disease, and their attempts to survive its symptoms.
The original film received mixed reviews but was a box-office success. The sequel was more poorly received but remained profitable. The prequel drew negative reviews but earned income through home media sales. The 2016 remake had the weakest critical response and performed poorly financially.
Films Film U.S. release date Director Screenwriter(s) Story by Producers Cabin Fever Eli Roth Eli Roth & Randy Pearlstein Eli Roth Eli Roth, Sam Froelich, Lauren Moews & Evan Astrowsky Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever Ti West Joshua Malkin Ti West & Randy Pearlstein Lauren Moews, Patrick Durham & Jonathan Sachar Cabin Fever: Patient Zero Kaare Andrews Jake Wade Wall Jaime Pina & Evan Astrowsky Cabin Fever Travis Z Eli Roth & Randy Pearlstein Eli Roth Tim Zajaros, Evan Astrowsky & Christopher Lemole
Cabin Fever (2002)
A group of college friends consisting of Paul, Karen, Bert, Marcy, and Jeff plan a week-long vacation getaway together, at an isolated cabin. Upon their arrival, a man infected with an undisclosed flesh-eating disease approaches them for help, though in a panicked frenzy they incinerate the man. When he falls into the local reservoir and dies, the water supply quickly becomes contaminated. Unbeknownst to the friends, their weekend partying is about to become a living nightmare as they one by one contract the sickness, and fight to escape shack in the woods as survivors.
Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever (2009)
Following the events of the previous installment, the predatory flesh-eating disease begins to spread. As a group of friends: John, Cassie, Alex, and Liz start their evening in excitement for their high school prom night; contaminated water begins to spread the affliction throughout the night. Through a series of events, one by one the event's attendees succumb to the sickness. Together the friends fight to stay alive through the night, while they watch their peers horrifically die before them.
Cabin Fever: Patient Zero (2014)
When a group of friends named Marcus, Kate, Josh, Penny, and Dobbs believe that they're going to experience a bachelor party to remember, they travel to a privately owned island in the Caribbean. As they celebrate the occasion together, they discover the locale is not as remote as they had been told when they stumble upon a research facility running tests on an imprisoned man who is infected by an undisclosed disease. When the extremely contagious deadly flesh-eating virus is released from its containment, the friends quickly scramble to escape the island, all while fighting to last the rapid outbreak.
Cabin Fever (2016)
In October 2014, it was announced that a remake of the 2002 film was being developed, using the same script as the original. Directed by Travis Z, the new adaptation was poorly received by audiences and critics alike. While the production made minor changes, it was declared inferior to its source material with critiques directed at its near shot-for-shot depiction of the first movie, while replacing the comedy elements with a grounded dark interpretation instead.
Despite its rejection from the audience, franchise creator Eli Roth appreciated the movie, praising the filmmaker; stating: "I saw it and I was blown away. I couldn't believe it. Travis Zariwny the director did a fantastic job."
Future In December 2023, Eli Roth stated that he intends to develop another Cabin Fever movie; stating that he felt like he had "ignored them for too long." Acknowledging that he has ideas for where to take the story next, the filmmaker confirmed he also wants to once again serve in his role of director.
Principal cast and characters
Character Original series Prequel Remake Cabin Fever Cabin Fever 2: Cabin Fever: Cabin Fever 2002 2009 2014 2016 Paul Rider Strong Samuel Davis Karen Jordan Ladd Gage Golightly Jeff Joey Kern Matthew Daddario Marcy Cerina Vincent Nadine Crocker Bert James DeBello Dustin Ingram John Noah Segan Cassie Alexi Wasser Alex Rusty Kelley Liz Grillington Regan Deal Marcus Mitch Ryan Kate Arias Claudette Lali Josh Brando Eaton Penny Jillian Murray Dobbs Brando Eaton Dr. Edwards Currie Graham Mr. Porter Sean Astin Grim Eli Roth Timothy G. Zajaros Dep. Winston Olsen Giuseppe Andrews Dep. Winston Louise Linton Henry Caldwell, the Hermit Arie Verveen Randy Schulman "Old Man" Caldwell Robert Harris George Griffith Tommy Caldwell Hal Courtney Aaron Trainor Dennis Matthew Helms Derrick R. Means Bunny Man Ozzy Alvarez Bill William G. Stone Larry Fessenden Prin. Sinclair Michael Bowen Rick Thomas Blake, Jr. Frederica Amanda Jelks Marc Marc Senter Herman Olsen Mark Borchardt Camila Solly Duran Bridgett Lydia Hearst
Additional crew and production details FilmCrew/Detail Composer Cinematographer Editor(s) Production companies Distributing companies Running time Cabin Fever Nathan Barr Scott Kevan Ryan Folsey Lions Gate Films, Black Sky Entertainment, Deer Path Films, Down Home Entertainment, Tonic Films Lions Gate Entertainment 1 hr 34 mins Cabin Fever 2: Ryan Shore Eliot Rockett Janice Hampton Lionsgate Films, Tonic Films, Morningstar Films, Aloe Entertainment, Proud Mary Entertainment Lionsgate 1 hr 26 mins Cabin Fever: Kevin Riepl Norm Li Michael P. Mason RLJE Films, Voltage Pictures, Indomina Group, Hypotenuse Pictures Image Entertainment 1 hr 35 mins Cabin Fever Gavin Kelly Kyle Tekiela Armory Films, Contend Entertainment, Pelican Point Media IFC Midnight 1 hr 38 mins
Reception
Box office and financial performance Film Box office gross Box office ranking Video sales gross Worldwide total gross income Budget Worldwide totalnet income North America Other territories Worldwide All time North America All time worldwide Cabin Fever $21,158,188 $9,395,206 $30,553,394 #3,623 #4,816 >$30,553,394 $1,500,000 ≥$29,053,394 Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever >$0 $709,507 ≥$709,507 ≤$709,507 Cabin Fever: Patient Zero >$0 $326,291 ≥$326,291 ≤$326,291 Cabin Fever $114,835 $114,835 #17,852 #24,776 $125,697 $240,532 ≤$240,532 Totals $21,158,188 >$9,510,041 >$30,668,229 x̄ #7,390 x̄ #7,400 >$1,161,495 >$31,829,724 >$1,500,000 ≥$30,329,724
Critical response Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic Cabin Fever 62% (141 reviews) 56/100 (31 reviews) Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever (2 reviews) Cabin Fever: Patient Zero 20% (20 reviews) 30/100 (12 reviews) Cabin Fever 0% (29 reviews) 14/100 (7 reviews)
Cancelled projects
In 2011, the announcement of Cabin Fever: Patient Zero and a fourth film was revealed to be in development at Indomina and Hypotenuse Pictures, with both films expected to shoot back-to-back. Texas Chainsaw 3D screenwriters Adam Marcus and Debra Marcus were tapped to pen the script, entitled Cabin Fever: Outbreak, with a planned production start of Spring 2012 in the Dominican Republic. The initial plot served as direct sequel to Patient Zero and followed a doctor on a Caribbean island attempting to contain the virus. However, story changes were made with the final iteration taking place on a cruise ship. Production for Patient Zero was delayed to August and then to October 2012, with no mention of any further updates on Outbreak. By May 2013, Voltage Pictures and Idomina began developments to create a trilogy of films that followed chronologically after Patient Zero. By April 2014 however, these plans were scrapped altogether in favor of producing a remake of the original film. Indomina exited the new project, while Cassian Elwes and Evan Astrowsky boarded the remake as producers.
References