As Dead by Daylight rolls deeper into 2026, the fog has not lifted on one of the community’s favorite pastimes: guessing which horror icon will next stalk the Entity’s realm. Behaviour Interactive’s asymmetrical multiplayer hit has always balanced homegrown survivors and killers with licensed crossovers, and that formula keeps fans on the edge of their seats. The original character catalog remains entertaining and diverse, holding tight to classic horror tropes, but many players argue that downloadable content is where the game truly bares its fangs. The chance to see icons from film, television, and cult cinema share a trial ground is a hell of a hook, and the community treats every cryptic tease like a detective board covered in red string.
A brief teaser for the next DLC once sent intrepid fans digging through split-second clues, and the resulting theories ranged from the logical to the delightfully unhinged. Behaviour Interactive has yet to make an official announcement that settles every argument, but the speculation itself has been half the fun. Reddit user '-Scolex-' added fuel to the fire with a comprehensive wish list of potential killers, mixing high-profile licensed names with obscure cult favorites. The list is part dream roster and part thought experiment, and it captures why Dead by Daylight’s crossover machine has so much street cred.
The Wish List Goes for the Throat
The fan-made roster includes Johnny Depp’s titular character from Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), Sam from Michael Dougherty’s Seasons Greetings (1996) and Trick ’r Treat (2007), and even the murderous, psychokinetic tire from Rubber (2010). That last pick is a wild card with a capital W, but it fits the wish list’s stated goal: dreaming up characters that would likely never make it into Dead by Daylight’s licensed killer roster. Fans are chomping at the bit for weird and wonderful additions, even when the odds are a long shot.
| Candidate | Fan pitch | Community pulse |
|---|---|---|
| Sweeney Todd | A theatrical barber with a razor-sharp gimmick | Deliciously dark, but rights and tone are tricky |
| Sam | Holiday horror chaos in a tiny, creepy package | A cult favorite with serious meme energy |
| Rubber tire | A psychokinetic killer tire | Absurd, unforgettable, and almost certainly a long shot |
| Jack Torrance | 'The Caretaker' with the Overlook Hotel as an indoor map | Fans rally behind the setting, but debate the killer’s kit |
| The Thing | An imposter killer that can blend in | Widely viewed as a gameplay goldmine |
The Shining Debate: Great Map, Tricky Killer
Fans have rallied behind the choice of Jack Nicholson’s Jack Torrance from The Shining, whom the list creator dubbed 'the Caretaker.' The appeal is easy to see. An indoor Dead by Daylight map based on the enigmatic Overlook Hotel could bring horrific visual imagery, claustrophobic corridors, and a sense of dread that would make players check every corner twice. The hotel itself is practically a character, and fans admit they would be interested in seeing that labyrinthine setting implemented with all the unsettling details the film is famous for.
At the same time, fans are not blind to the design challenge. Some argue that Torrance lacks distinguishable traits that could make him a unique enough Dead by Daylight character, particularly if he was just carrying an axe. In a roster packed with chain-wielding maniacs, spectral killers, and reality-bending monsters, a guy with an axe needs a hook beyond pure nostalgia. The debate shows how seriously the community treats licensed additions: a big name is nice, but a big name without a big idea can fall flat.
The Thing Could Be a Gameplay Monster
By contrast, fans herald The Thing (1982) as an exciting choice because of the gameplay opportunities that an imposter killer would present. The film’s grotesque alien doppelgänger is capable of subsuming living beings as its new host and blending in around others, which sounds tailor-made for a cat-and-mouse trial. When Legion’s character debuted, many fans believed that the killer would inherit abilities allowing the player to disguise themselves as a roaming survivor during matches in order to deceive other survivors. Legion’s actual abilities turned out much different, leaving that fantasy unfulfilled.
The Thing could ultimately provide that gameplay system and perhaps result in the killer accumulating the appearance of injured, downed, or slain survivors. That kind of deception would not be a one-trick pony; it could reshape how survivors communicate, how they trust one another, and how Behaviour Interactive designs future powers. Of course, balance would be a nightmare, but the community is willing to let the developers cook if the result is memorable.
Why the Fog Keeps Calling
These slasher and psychological horror characters are beloved by fans, and Dead by Daylight has tons of material to pull from for future DLC, considering that many of the IPs and characters do not have a minefield of restrictive property rights attached. In 2026, the wish list reads like a time capsule and a roadmap at once: some picks are pure wishful thinking, while others feel one official announcement away from becoming reality. Dead by Daylight is available now on Mobile, PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Until the next chapter emerges from the fog, fans will keep dissecting teasers, pitching dream crossovers, and arguing about whether a killer tire deserves a spot at the trial. And honestly? That is exactly the kind of beautiful chaos the Entity would approve of. 😈