Womp Stomp Releases Animated Jason Voorhees Short
The 10-minute fan film 'Never Hike Alone: Ghosts in the Fog' premiered free on YouTube on November 13, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Horror
Womp Stomp Films released 'Never Hike Alone: Ghosts in the Fog,' a 10-minute animated Friday the 13th fan film featuring Jason Voorhees, on Friday, November 13, 2026, at 5 p.m. PT. The short follows three friends who become lost in the fog surrounding Camp Crystal Lake and is streaming free on the Womp Stomp Films YouTube channel.
Why it matters
The film is the fourth installment in the Womp Stomp series and its first animated entry, extending a fan-made franchise that operates independently of the studios that own the Jason Voorhees property. The franchise owners have not taken action to stop the films.
The short runs 10 minutes and premiered Friday, November 13, 2026, at 5 p.m. PT on YouTube, where it is free to watch. It is the first animated entry in a series that began with the 2017 short 'Never Hike Alone.'
The players
Womp Stomp Films
An independent production company founded in 2016 by filmmaker Vincente DiSanti that makes the 'Never Hike Alone' series of free, crowdfunded Friday the 13th fan films.
Mako Animation Studio
A Mexico-based 2D animation company founded in 2015 by Juan Rivera that co-produced the animated short.
Steve Miner
A director who was announced to return to helm the franchise's 13th feature film, scheduled for theatrical release in 2027.
The details
The short was produced in collaboration with Mako Animation Studio, a Mexico-based 2D animation company founded in 2015 by Juan Rivera. The films rely on crowdfunding campaigns, and each includes an on-screen disclaimer acknowledging that rights holders can challenge the production.
Timeline
2017: First 'Never Hike Alone' short released.
2020: 'Never Hike in the Snow' prequel released.
2023: Feature-length 'Never Hike Alone 2' released.
November 13, 2026, 5 p.m. PT: 'Ghosts in the Fog' premieres on YouTube.
2027: Steve Miner's 13th Friday the 13th feature scheduled for theatrical release.
Season Trajectory
The short arrives between Jason's 2009 reboot and the announced 2027 theatrical return, a gap in which independent productions have kept the character active. Peacock's October debut of the A24-produced prequel series 'Crystal Lake' adds to the franchise's current run of new material.
Viewers can watch 'Never Hike Alone: Ghosts in the Fog' free of charge on the Womp Stomp Films YouTube channel. The films are not sold, so access does not depend on a subscription or purchase.
The takeaway
Independent fan productions can keep a long-running franchise visible between major studio releases, even without a license. The 2027 theatrical return will show whether the studios' own project draws on that momentum.
What happens next
Steve Miner's 13th Friday the 13th feature is scheduled for theatrical release in 2027.
Further reading
Explore more horror coverage for context on the franchise's revival.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Variety.
