Last year was a pretty interesting year for horror. We had films like Weapons, 28 Years Later, Sinners, Bring Her Back, and Companion. This coming year is already shaping up to be another great one for one of our favorite genres. Here are some of the most anticipated horror movies of 2026.
What are the most anticipated horror movies of 2026?
Before we get into it, we should note that we’re including several horror subgenres. There are also a handful of films not included on our list — most notably 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (simply because that one’s a given, and any horror fan already knows about it) and Scream 7. While we’re excited for Scream 7, we’re not entirely convinced it’ll be one of the year’s best. Kevin Williamson’s direction gives us hope for the franchise.
The Bride!
2025 gave us one of Guillermo del Toro’s greatest horror films with his adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic novel Frankenstein. Though unrelated, 2026 brings Maggie Gyllenhaal’s continuation of the saga, in which the creature actually gets a girlfriend.
Hamnet’s Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale star in the leading roles in a story where Dr. Euphorinius brings a murdered woman back to life to serve as Frankenstein’s companion in 1930s Chicago. This devilish, highly stylized spin on the classic tale is backed by the support (and money) of Warner Bros., and it’s easily one of the most intriguing horror projects on the horizon.
Werwulf
For another horror take that doesn’t necessarily promise outright scares so much as a folkloric epic, Robert Eggers takes us back to 13th-century Europe, where a mysterious creature is wreaking havoc. Along with directing, Eggers co-wrote the script with Icelandic poet and novelist Sjón, continuing their long-standing collaboration.
Werwulf is also set to reunite Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Lily-Rose Depp, and Willem Dafoe, who previously worked together on Nosferatu. Jarin Blaschke returns as cinematographer, with choreography by Gabrielle Marie-Roti. While not much else is known at this point, it’s safe to assume this will be a meticulously crafted visual feast — very much in Eggers’ wheelhouse.
Psycho Killer
Georgina Campbell (Black Mirror, Barbarian, The Watchers) takes the lead in this chilling feature that centers around a sadistic serial killer’s murder spree. For fans of horror-meets-crime, it doesn’t get much more compelling than this. Campbell plays Jane, a dedicated cop widowed after a brutal murder committed by a notorious killer known as “The Satanic Slasher” (James Preston Rogers). Driven by grief and sheer will, Jane sets out on a mission to track down the murderer. Psycho Killer marks the feature debut of director Gavin Palone (who has spent most of his career as a producer), working from a script by Andrew Kevin Walker, the mastermind behind Se7en. We’re excited about this team’s pedigree, which points to a film that is disturbing and psychologically layered.
Send Help
Sam Raimi is back in the horror world with this upcoming feature, starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien as an employee and her boss who find themselves stranded on an island. After her boss fires her and adds on a bit of cruelty for good measure, he gives her the chance to prove herself at a corporate event in Thailand. Unfortunately, they never make it and end up stranded on an island. The situation is already dangerous, but tensions quickly escalate and, well… you can imagine what comes next. We’re not entirely sure what else the film has in store, but we’re excited to see Raimi return to the genre.
We’re also intrigued to see Rachel McAdams in a horror role, as this isn’t typically where she has showcased her talents. While she’s no stranger to thrillers, the trailer hints at a vibe reminiscent of Kathy Bates in Misery, which could be a fascinating departure for her.
Hokum
From the studio behind Weapons, Hokum tells the story of a reclusive novelist (Adam Scott) who travels to Ireland to scatter his parents’ ashes. Remote Irish inns already feel like the perfect setting for unsettling tales, and things only grow darker when we find out a witch is haunting the place. Written and directed by Irish horror filmmaker Damien McCarthy, the mind behind Oddity (2024) and Caveat (2020), Hokum could easily become one of 2026’s most spine-tingling horror experiences.
How we picked the most anticipated horror movies of 2026
We opted for an array of horror films from the genre, ranging from supernatural slow burns and survivalist films to serial killers, folkloric epics, and stylized pop-gothic adaptations. There are plenty more to keep our eyes on in 2026, but these are just the few that we’re most excited for, although they may not be getting the most buzz quite yet.
