Screamboat puts a horrifying twist on the short film Steamboat Willie, raising the question of whether it takes place in the Twisted Childhood Universe. Only one day after Steamboat Willie entered the public domain, filmmaker Steven LaMorte announced his intention to make a horror movie based on the Disney short film. After a year and three months of waiting, the distribution company Iconic Events Releasing brought Screamboat to movie theaters for a limited release. Aside from the Terrifier movies, their biggest project before Screamboat is Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare, which is part of the Twisted Childhood Universe, aka the Poohniverse.

Like Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare and the Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey movies, Screamboat puts a violent, gloriously sacrilegious twist on a childhood classic story. David Howard Thornton’s horror version of Steamboat Willie goes on a murderous rampage aboard a New York City ferry. Additionally, Screamboat has the same extreme level of gore as the Twisted Childhood Universe movies and similar prosthetic styles. With all these factors combined, the question naturally comes up as to whether Screamboat is part of the Twisted Childhood Universe, and the answer might surprise readers.

Screamboat Is Not Part Of The Twisted Childhood Universe

Screamboat Will Still Appeal To Fans Of The Poohniverse

The similarities between the Twisted Childhood Universe movies and Screamboat are so stark that I had to look up their possible connection when preparing for Screamboat coverage. With a huge group of Twisted Childhood Universe movies slated for 2025 and seven more in development already, I thought I might have missed an announcement. However, Screamboat doesn’t take place in the cinematic universe, despite having the same tone, style, and idea. That being said, they both appeal to the same audience. Fans of the Poohniverse movies should check out Screamboat, and vice versa.

The Twisted Childhood Universe Shouldn’t Make A Steamboat Willie Movie

A Separate Steamboat Willie Movie Would Be Too Confusing, Given The Existing Similarities

Since Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey, Rhys Frake-Waterfield has continued to announce new additions to the Twisted Childhood Universe, many of whom are guaranteed to appear in the crossover film. In December 2024, they announced Mary Poppins would join the Winnie-the-Pooh horror franchise, which is a fun twist on the nanny. With Steamboat Willie officially in the public domain, the prospect of including the character is tempting. I enjoy the thought of Steamboat Willie eventually appearing alongside Pooh, Peter Pan, and Mary Poppins. Still, the Twisted Childhood Universe needs to refrain from making a Steamboat Willie movie if Screamboat finds success.

The inclusion of a separate Steamboat Willie character would be too confusing, given the similarities in style and visuals between Screamboat and the Twisted Childhood Universe. If anything, they should take inspiration from Sony and the MCU. The Poohniverse could make a deal to include David Howard Thornton’s Steamboat Willie in future crossovers after Poohniverse: Monsters ᴀssemble. Considering the indie horror world generally has a more collaborative atтιтude, Screamboat’s villain appearing in the Twisted Childhood Universe doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility.