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How does a no budget found footage film have global impact? This is the story of Human Hibachi and its rise to gory to become the most unlikely modern day cult classic.
I remember meeting filmmaker Mario Cerrito at a local coffee shop and reviewing his screenplay for Human Hibachi. This wasn’t too different from my other marketing meetings, other than the fact that it wasn’t on a ZOOM call with an Los Angeles filmmaker but instead a comfortable in person meeting with a local South Jersey filmmaker. It’s not often that I’m able to work with someone right in my own backyard.
Human Hibachi. The name of the movie was the hook. If you have a strong movie title, you’re already ahead of the game. Mario captured a unique name and it made you think. This made our mission that much easier.
This was no overnight success story. I’m not even sure you can put your finger on a moment and call it a success. This movie was praised by the fans. It was more of a word of mouth campaign that gave Human Hibachi its power. Each time you discovered a conversation about Human Hibachi on Reddit or Twitter, it was validation of hard work.
There’s just something about cannibalism. There is an unspoken forbidden shadow that is cast over films like Cannibal Ferox and Cannibal Holocaust that makes them cult classics. Human Hibachi lives in those same shadows.
Human Hibachi: The Movies
The original Human Hibachi (2020) film was about a man who documents his girlfriend’s 35th birthday on his phone. What he captures throughout the night are the most disturbing human acts imaginable.
The film stars Elizabeth Gaynor, Jeff Alpert, Wataru Nishida, Carley Harper, Sopheaktra Theng, Andrew Hunsicker, John Campanile, and Stafford Chavis.
The buzz was real, Human Hibachi broke into the Top 100 Horror Best Sellers on Amazon.
It won the award for Best Feature Film at the 2021 NJ Horror Con and Film Festival and this set the tone for more accolades in the upcoming years.
Human Hibachi 2: Feast in the Forest (2022), the sequel is set in the deep woods, a cannibal family obsessed with the first “Human Hibachi” video have made it their life’s mission to find the only two individuals left from it. If successful, they vow to provide them with the most elaborate feast imaginable.
The second straight year in a row Mario captures Best Feature Film at the 2022 NJ Horror Con and Film Festival for his cannibalistic continuation, Human Hibachi 2.
In 2023, Mario takes the franchise in a different direction, this time with a short film titled, Human Hibachi: The Beginning. The story is a brutal look at how Jin and the Human Hibachi films got their start in Japan. The results are the same, Human Hibachi: The Beginning takes home the Best NJ/NY Horror Film at the 2023 NJ Horror Con and Film Festival making the Hibachi franchise a triple threat winner.
Human Hibachi 3: The Last Supper (2026) A man who suffers from hyper-religiosity, leads a cult of devout followers to partake in a “last supper” where sacrificed humans are the main course.
Horror icons Debbie Rochon and Lloyd Kaufman join the madness with returning cast members Jeff Alpert, Wataru Nishida, and Stafford Chavis.
In what’s rumored to be the final chapter, Human Hibachi 3: The Last Supper is ready to take the horror world by storm as it debuts on FOUND TV, Friday, February 20, 2026. And then it’s available on TROMA NOW! March 1, 2026.
Why the Human Hibachi Franchise is the Crown Jewel of FOUND TV
In the rapidly evolving landscape of niche streaming, FOUND TV has carved out a unique space as the ultimate destination for “found footage” enthusiasts. While the platform hosts various paranormal and psychological thrillers, the Human Hibachi franchise—created by Mario Cerrito—has emerged as its most defining series.
The “Human Hibachi” franchise is a fit for Troma Now due to its alignment with Troma Entertainment’s history of distributing extreme independent cinema blending graphic horror with dark social commentary. The series’ “video nasty” style and cannibalism themes, its acquisition by Troma, and the involvement of Lloyd Kaufman and Debbie Rochon in the third film further connect the franchise to Troma’s catalog and disruptive spirit.
The Human Hibachi franchise is rapidly ascending to cult classic status, fueled by a unique blend of underground horror, high-profile merchandise partnerships, and cross-media appearances that span the globe from England to Japan.
The Sonic Evolution of Gore
The franchise has carved out a niche in the music world, becoming a reference point for both indie bands and established rappers: CAMCORDER: The band has fully embraced the franchise, featuring Human Hibachi in their music with a self-titled track that cements the film’s status as a modern underground icon.
Craig Lynch: The rapper brought the film into the hip-hop scene with his song “GHOSTFACE,” where he explicitly raps about Human Hibachi while wearing the franchise’s signature hoodie in the music video, bridging the gap between extreme horror and street culture.
Global Reach and Merchandise Mastery
Strategically aligned with the elite of extreme cinema, Human Hibachi has expanded its physical presence through major distribution and licensing: Unusual Horror (England): This premier UK boutique store has signed an official merchandise deal for the franchise. This puts Human Hibachi in the same prestigious company as extreme cinema titans like A Serbian Film, August Underground, and Eldorado.
Japan Distribution: Furthering its global reach, the franchise has secured space in Japanese video stores, tapping into a market with a deep history of appreciation for extreme and “nasty” cinema.
Trading Cards & Calendars: The franchise is diversifying into collectibles with a TERROR CARDS trading card deal and a high-profile feature in horror icon Debbie Rochon’s calendar, signaling its transition from a niche film to a comprehensive pop-culture brand.
This multifaceted expansion—from music and streetwear to international physical media and niche collectibles—demonstrates that Human Hibachi is no longer just a film series; it is a burgeoning cult ecosystem.
